Molding Jesus

This week I was a counselor at a music camp for middle schoolers. I taught two sign singing classes and was the lifeguard (aka the coolest counselor according to several of the kids, but only because I was the lifeguard...haha). The theme for the week was "Worship: That Thing You Do!" And man was it a worship-filled week. I was able to witness several kids experience God in ways they hadn't before, whether it was through music, the sermons, devotions, or their classes. God was present this week at Truett camp, and not only did the campers get a taste of Him, but I had my own encounters with God.

At the beginning of the week I struggled a little because even though I knew a couple of people there, I always felt like the odd man out. Everyone else had been going to Truett for a few years and had inside jokes and traditions and I had no idea what was going on. I made new friends though and caught up with the ones I did know and now I have some amazing friends that I wouldn't give up for the world. Later in the week I was even able to talk to a 7th grader who was going through the same thing with her friends that week. Because of my recent experience, I was able to encourage her with ease and relate to her really well. I am glad to report that she and her friend are now closer than ever and I owe it to God for allowing me to experience what I did.

The point that stuck out to me the most during the week however, was the subject of molding Jesus. Throughout the week, we talked about how if we spend a lot of time concentrating on one thing, it turns into what we worship. Some examples include money, time, sports, TV, music....if you can name it, it can be worshipped. Our challenge is to not let those things come before God.

If we find ourselves pushing back our quiet time, skipping out on church, or giving up a unique opportunity to serve because we want to go to a Carrie Underwood (looove her!) concert or we want to finish reading the latest Harry Potter book, then who are we serving? Not God, that's for sure. Instead of following the example that Christ has given us, we are molding His standards to what we want them to be.

This really didn't hit home until the other counselors and I did this skit called Molding Jesus. Each counselor acted out something that was important to them (reading, cheer leading, music, body building, shopping) and molded "Jesus" to look like what they were doing. After each person left, he would return to his original position. Then, the last girl examined him and molded herslef to what He looked like instead.

Putting God first isn't always easy. We have to wake up every day and make the choice to follow Him, give everything up, and make Him number one in our lives. So what are you doing? Are you letting your life mold Jesus into what you want Him to be? Or are you letting Him mold you?

**I tried to upload the video of the Molding Jesus skit, but either my computer or blogger won't let me do it, so if you want to see it, the video's on facebook. You should check it out, it;s really great. I didn't get the first part of it because I was in it, but I got enough to get the point across.