Let God Sort Out the Details – Everything After the “But”

Nothing beats camp! Folks having fun, leaders laughing, water balloons bursting, reveille, flag raising, cabin inspection, chow hall KP duty, free time at the lake, and worship at chapel. Add them together and you have the camping ministry. The life-changing, heart-altering, side-splitting, wish-it-were-never-ending experience we call camp.

I’ve enjoyed 

Nothing beats camp! Folks having fun, leaders laughing, water balloons bursting, reveille, flag raising, cabin inspection, chow hall KP duty, free time at the lake, and worship at chapel. Add them together and you have the camping ministry. The life-changing, heart-altering, side-splitting, wish-it-were-never-ending experience we call camp.

I’ve enjoyed 

speaking at chapel for the past two weeks at High Sierra Scholarship Camp, near Oakhurst, CA. We read and studied the entire book of Philippians this week, something many young people had never done. When teaching about Paul’s attitude in Philippians 1 I came up with a phrase that may help you in your ministry to young people.

Paul, though he was jailed in Rome, had the right attitude about his circumstances. We learned that no matter what our circumstances, we should “Do things God’s way, for God’s glory, and let Him sort out the details.” That phrase really helps me, but I realize that most of our struggles in life are in the details.

What does it mean to “let Him sort out the details?” It is everything after the 'but.' "I know I should be a missionary, but…" or "I know I should be friendly to my next door neighbor, but…." or '‘I know that I should read my Bible every day, but….'' The details we need to leave to God are “everything after the ‘but’”.

My life is full of ‘buts’. When I get home I’m going to inventory my ‘buts’ and pray that God will help me leave the details to Him – everything after the ‘but.’

But for today, I’ll pack my dirty clothes, try to find my missing sock, sweep my cabin floor, and get ready for tonights chapel message. In the morning almost 200 campers will head down the hill toward home. I probably won’t see most of them for years, but they will take a piece of my heart when they go.

Margret, Malea, and others trusted Christ as Savior, dozens found assurance of their salvation, and scores smiled at the pictures of my granddaughter, Emmaline. The spiritual impact of camp cannot be measured.  

A friend of mine told me that his Christian life was ignited by five words spoken by a camp counselor when he was in the seventh grade. 

Send your kids to camp. Even better, go yourself. Maybe it is too late for your church to embrace camp this summer. Put it on your calendar for next year. You will be blessed.

Have a great day serving Him,

Tired, but Joyful,

Ed