A Fast Fall

For the past seven weeks I was immersed in an environment where there was not option but to put Jesus first and constantly depend on him for strength and endurance. I was a counselor for sixth and seventh grade guys at Pine Cove Ranch in east Texas. On Saturday my time there came to a close and as I jumped into my truck to head back to Dallas I was filled with excitement about reconnecting with my friends and family. I spent the fourth of July with some friends and had an absolute blast. I headed down to New Braunfels, Texas for the Ryan Bingham concert (one of my favorite artists). The weather was great, the atmosphere was phenomenal. The sound of Bignham's voice against the Texas sky was nothing short of pure bliss.

In the midst of this series of beautiful moments my mind wandered, thinking about how funny and challenging life can be. July 3rd at 8PM I was surrounded by 60 or 70 college students who had committed their summer to serving and sharing the gospel at camp, singing worship songs. July 4th at 8PM I was surrounded by hundreds of frat stars, hammered red necks, scantily dressed women, middle aged men and hill country natives. I'm not passing judgement on any of the people that I bumped elbows with, I'm just saying it is odd and often difficult how fast life comes at us.

What I am realizing is that as life begins slowing down from the insane pace of camp, I am reconnecting with a lot of things that I don't want to. From lust to ruthless materialism to being overly conscious about my image to my often sailor like mouth, I am understanding that I am running up an escalator full of things that want to bring me down. To stay on course I have to be intentional about going to Christ every day for strength and finding brothers to walk the faith with me.

I don't know where your summer has taken you or if it is just weird going from one group of friends at school to another group back home or if in the midst of the flexibly of your summer schedule you have found yourself in a place you don't want to be. Regardless, all authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to our king Jesus, authority over our lust, circumstances, joy, everything, so don't try to bear your burdens alone, because as I am often reminded, we can't do it on our own, but we can do all things through Christ who infuses strength in us. So live the dream and embrace your brokenness and when life just seems weird and changes too fast, turn to the one who never changes.