never say never
For some reason, Week 10 has always been my favorite.
Why? Because it's the hardest.
There's something about swinging when you've got nothing left, jumping even higher when you think your feet are about to fall off, and running as fast as you can into the wind with your head down and knees up . . .
I love it because as much as it is about the fight, more importantly, it's about the fight to finish well.
This week was tough on so many levels.
Physically, I got sick with a sinus infection at the beginning of the week. My head was so stuffed with snot that my head felt like a walking hot air balloon - and my sore throat made it so hard to talk, much less cheer. For most of the week I sounded like a one of the thirteen year old boys at the camp because my voice kept cracking and was squeaky.
Spiritually, I had the amazing privilege to fight ridiculous spiritual battle for the Lord. Satan was prowling around, whispering lies to my campers. Even at camp, there is still evil that lurks around, deceiving those who do not know the truth.
I had a girl this week tell me that she didn't fully believe in God. She told me that she didn't fully believe in Him because she couldn't see him. Hebrew 11:1 was just words to her. What was ironic, though, is that she did in fact believe in god. Just the wrong one. Yet, she had no clue. She had made the things of this world her god. Everything from evolution to reincarnation, her boyfriend . . . those things were "truth" in her life. Yet, despite this, she would still lift her hands during worship time. She was raising her hands to a God she said she didn't believe in. The only word that came to me was 'confusing' and 'bizarre'. I just couldn't figure it out.
Her unbelief was rooted in her failure to see God.
But was she really looking?
I believe that the glory of God is everywhere - He lives inside of me, in the wind, a sunset, a thunderstorm, the rain, laughter, tears, hugs . . .
My prayer for her going into Tuesday night was "Lord, help her SEE. Jesus, heal her blindness."
And for a moment, she saw.
During the talk Tuesday night, literally crawling into my arms, she wept with everything in her. I had the amazing privilege to hold her and thank the Lord for her sight! She was crying out for help! Christ is an amazing Healer.
But that was the beginning of the fight for her soul. Realizing that she had caught a glimpse of truth, Satan made his move. He turned her heart cold and bitter. He filled her mind with lies. And then he told her to run fast in the wrong direction. And she took off.
I cried like a baby as I talked to her again a couple of days later. My heart broke as she told me she didn't need help, that she didn't need God, that she would never, ever, fully believe in God. . . that her life, at this time, was as good as it's going to get. And the deceiver did was he does best - he deceived. In that conversation that day, I had a battle with Satan himself. I know this to be true. As the Lord gave me the strength to speak truth after truth, Satan replied with lies that my dearly loved camper wholeheartedly believed.
And she walked away.
And when she did, I buried my hands in my hair and shook with tears because, in that moment, I realized how the Lord feels. My love for her was nothing compared to God's love for her - for all of us. I felt such a burden for her heart to know truth - That we all desperately NEED God. His love, his mercy, his grace, his strength.
But really, how many days do I really wake up and say that?
Not as many as I should.
This week, and to be real honest - this entire summer - I didn't see any fruit.
And that's okay.
I know the ending of the fight that I am fighting. The Lord reigns.
The Lord, who is faithful, has called me, Sarah "Speedoo" Wyckoff, to fight. He has called me, this summer, to boldly speak truth, to swing when I've got nothing left, to jump higher even if I don't have feet, and spring into the wind with my head down and my knees up.
But one thing I have learned about truth - it never goes away. I have been called to speak truth, despite results and praise the Father for allowing me to be a part of His great plan.
Even though she walked away and told me she would never fully believe in God, I know that Jesus has come to "seek and save what was lost" (Luke 19:9-10)
He is the one that saves.
And my role this summer?
"Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself FULLY to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor IN THE LORD is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58
The Lord will SEEK her and He will SAVE her.
My labor for the souls of others . . . never will it be in vain.
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1 comments
Speedoo I'm so sorry! I will so be praying for that girl! I'm so astounded by your faith though and you didn't give up! You spoke the truth and prayed for a miracle! And guess what. . .there is still that chance. . .that chance for that miracle to happen! Hey Speedoo I have somthing great to tell you! Hopefully this will make you feel better because you played a big part in this! I felt God move this past week in ways I've never felt before and I fell in love with him all over again! Please don't ever think that what you say are not important because that's so not true! Your faith and love for your campers and for me. . .have just allowed me to see what God's love looks like! I LOVE YOU SPEEDOO!!!
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