Next week I will be at Camp Areopagus, enjoying the company of great Christian friends, counseling young people, and getting away from my computer screen for a while. I look forward to camp every year, probably more than any other time.
Even more than Christmas.
I became a Christian at that camp (back when it was Camp Caudle) on June 23, 2000. That was my first year, which means that this will be my twentieth. Twenty of my thirty-five years have been in the service to my King. That’s worth a cake and some candles, I think. My actual spiritual birthday is June 23rd but camp week is always when I most remember how special that first year was, how thankful I am to have been taught the Word of God, and how blessed I am to have enjoyed twenty years in God’s good graces.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…
(Hebrews 12:1-2a)
I hope to have another twenty years to serve as a Christian in this world; maybe I’ll get twenty more after that, who knows (God knows). Whatever the future holds, I know this: I will keep running the race set before me, keep looking to Jesus as the captain of my salvation, and keep pressing to the mark. Now what about you: When was your spiritual birthday? Do you remember it with the same fondness that you do your worldly one? If not, start this year. It’s never too late to pause and reflect on the new life you have in Jesus!
~ Matthew