I spend a great deal of time thinking about what “might be”. I wonder about what might be changing in my family’s life next week or next minute. I judge people at first glance (lets’ get honest here) on the type of person they might be. I muse about how my financial situation might be improving or deteriorating. I pray about soul-shifts the Lord might be working in Three Circles campers, volunteers, investors and staff. But, let me tell you, dear reader, in the middle of the night the Lord showed me His version of “might be”.
He said to me, “ Jeremy, you must see the ministry of presence, the ministry of going the long walk with youth, the ministry of just doing life with one another, as I see it and that is this...MIGHT. BE.--” As His gentle words rolled through my mind I immediately understood... We must walk in the power of His MIGHT! Then, and only then, we grow into the person He created us to BE.
MIGHT! And then, BE. Let’s land these lofty thoughts on the dirt. How does this affect how we operate, as an organization, as a person, as a family? Allow me a few short stories to illustrate the point... 2020 started our 11th year of Day Camps & walking life out with youth from hard places in Chattooga County. A few years ago we pressed hard an attempt to start a Three Circles Outpost in Walker county. By all appearances, in OUR wisdom, we thought it “might be” a good idea. Things did not proceed as planned. About a year ago, Holy Spirit, in HIS MIGHT, birthed the development of a Three Circles Outpost in Floyd County in the hearts of a couple. With very little effort on our part, a group of loving volunteers have now become what the Lord wants them to BE. (Don’t get me wrong, even though we did not wait on Holy Spirit, the Lord used our Walker county experience for good and we learned a lot and met some wonderful people. Don’t be afraid to fail!)
Our first attempt at a day camp in Floyd County took place two weekends ago. We held several team meetings in advance about policy and strategy. We developed what “might be” considered a great plan. Days before camp, most of our campers were exposed to COVID-19, one other kid got a fever and another kid was not at home the morning of. This left us with one lone camper. This young man was loved on, encouraged, caught his second and third fish ever in his life and joined a group of Christians in a great workday preparing the beautiful property for the next camp. The world may have considered this a failed camp day. But by the MIGHT of the Lord, this young man was able to BE where and who the Lord wanted him to be that day.
One more quick story...We also strategized and prepared to follow all the Governor’s COVID-19 requirements for our first Chattooga County Day Camp last weekend. We developed what looked like it “might be” a good plan. As it turned out several campers’ guardians and a couple of key volunteers cancelled at the last second for various reasons. We only had three campers, one of whom was a first- timer. In a larger crowd the first-time camper may have slinked off into the background. In this smaller, more intimate setting, we could almost see the walls melt away as he visibly blossomed within hours of arrival. After camp, we received a text from the first-timer’s exuberant and grateful mother that brought tears to our eye’s. “I have not seen this side of my son in a long time” she said. In His MIGHT, the Lord orchestrated events for that first-time camper to BE where and who the Lord wanted him to be that day.
Join me in surrendering our plans and concerns of what “might be” over to His MIGHT so we can bring Him glory and BE who He created us to BE.
…It just might be the smartest thing you ever do!