Monk's Musings: Paddle Hard but with Love
Beacon Bible Camp
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Canoeing is fun, but it can also be hard work, especially if you have a strong headwind blowing against you. Is your Christian life characterized by work, labour and endurance? These are wonderful things, but as Martha found out, they can be done out of a sense of bitter duty that judges and complains about others. Is your walk with Jesus filled with faith, love and hope? These are inner qualities that others cannot see directly, but if we truly have these in our hearts, the result will be visible work and labour for the Lord and joyful endurance to see tasks completed to the best of our abilities.
In Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, he often encouraged them to grow in these three inner virtues. These will help us at home and at work, at church and at school, and yes, even here at camp! So, whatever we do, may we too paddle the canoe of life hard but joyfully, motivated by the love of Jesus. And as we serve the Lord and others, may we be driven by faith, love and hope!
Summer is finally here, and Beacon Bible Camp is beckoning many of you to come and join us. For the many of you who plan to volunteer, we challenge you to take to heart Paul’s words. Whether you will serve in the kitchen, as Summer Staff, as cabin leader, or director, come filled with faith, love and hope, so you will work joyfully, even with the difficult and tiring tasks that will test our endurance. God is faithful, and He will help us all!
May the Lord bless and guide each one of us this Summer and during the rest of the year!
On behalf of all the Beacon Staff,
Andrew ‘Monk’ Nunn