Stop, Look, and Listen.

Ever have those times in your life where you feel like you can do it all?

You know, where you see all of the potential in something and see how things can be done and you're just so eager to accomplish it that you want to start right now. You want to get things done right away and you're totally confident you can do it all on your own.

Well... today God reminded me that it's really okay to stop, look, and listen to Him for guidance. It started as I was walking out of play rehearsal this evening. We rehearse at the local Lutheran Church, and on the door to the steps was a stop sign that read "Stop, look, and listen to God" in bold letters. I've probably passed this sign 100 times just in the play rehearsals, but it never really hit me until today.

If you're reading this blog-- actually taking the time to read every word-- I'm going to assume you know who I am. And if you know who I am--who I really am-- I'm going to assume that you know how much I love Camp Union. It is a place that is so special to me that I can't imagine spending my summers anywhere else but there. I love the place. And this year I have the privilege of even directing the Elementary weeks with two of the Godliest Women I've ever met.

Anyway.... we were at a meeting today, and have been at meetings recently where I've found myself so excited to be doing things for camp. I always get excited for camp. (If you're reading this, and have gone through my equation above, this should be no surprise for you). We go out for work days, and my mind is constantly racing on how things can improve, what we can do differently for sustainability throughout the camp, and new fun ideas for the campers during the weeks they are here. In my head I am like a superhero: invincible, unstoppable, and ready to take on each and every challenge my ADD brain likes to muster up while I'm at camp. And then today, during our directors meeting, I found myself so excited and ready to finish all these crafts ideas and write my talk and just get things done. I was ready to start right now and get things done right away.

So my mind is racing as fast as I feel like my body races between events in my life (seriously, my schedule is crazy. But I LOVE it). I went through rehearsal, but I wasn't really there because I had drifted to camp to work on some project in my mind. After rehearsal I walked to the door to go down the steps and read that stop sign in passing. But then as I got in my car it really hit me.

I need to Stop
              Look
          and Listen to God.

I need to stop worrying so much about all that I see that needs to be done at camp. Obviously God has it all under control (He's been doing that for quite some time now. Just read the bible- It's a pretty cool story!) God will take care of it and provide the materials and people needed at the right time. And why is it the right time? Because it's God's time. And not my time. Because my time is the wrong time (Because I'm not God).

I need to Look to God. I don't need to look to camp and see what needs to be accomplished. I need to look to God and see that He is working it out, again in His time (It's the right time, remember?). And, if you look at one of my previous blogs, you'll see that truly I can't do any of the things that I want to do without looking to God, because HE gives me the strength. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.. again, read the bible! It's such a cool story that's so true!) God's got this all under control. I just need to look to Him for guidance, because it's His plan after all. Definitely not the petty plan I make up in my ADD brain.

I need to Listen to God. Perhaps I'm sitting here planning out the next craft activity for a group of 2-4 graders, and God is screaming at me, "HEY BRICE! WORRY ABOUT THAT LATER AND WORK ON SPENDING TIME WITH ME! THE CRAFT WILL COME I PROMISE!" Or perhaps God is calling my attention to another part of camp that I haven't even thought about because I'm too worked up in my own thoughts and haven't stopped to listen to God.

So what am I saying about all this? Well, I'm a list person so let me give you a bref summary in list form.

1. I have an ADD brain.
2. Stop, look, listen to God.
3. I Love Camp Union
4. I'm so honored to be working with awesome people who love the Lord while I'm at camp.
5. It's okay to be excited about things, but don't forget to Stop, look, and listen to what God has in store. Trust me, I've read the bible, and I'm sure His plans are far better than anything you or I could come up with. (Jeremiah 29:11... READ THE BIBLE FOR SERIOUS!)

And so it goes....



Stop and Listen- Bethany Dillon