‘Again, and again and again and again / You rescue me out of the mess I was in / You traded my sorrow for something to sing / Now I’m dancing on the grave that I once lived in!’
These lyrics echoed through Summer Camp, not just as a song we sang, but as a story many of us were living. The cycle of another Summer Camp has rolled around and gone, but something about this year was different. From the jumping in praise and lifting our hands in worship we were responding. And immediately, we began aiming Sky High.
To me Sky High was just the beginning of something more… something strong. Something that didn’t stay contained in Kirkwood Hall but spilled out into the grounds of QCCC Mapleton… and whatever started at Summer Camp, I know has followed me home.
Of course, setting my mind on higher things hasn’t always been easy. Life still has ordinary moments, its challenges and that ‘caught in a rip’ feeling. But what camp showed me is that the joy I experienced at Summer Camp doesn’t disappear when the music stops. The joy that came from worship, from being together, and from encountering Jesus continues to push me forward, even when it takes effort to lift my eyes again.
I know not everyone had the same experience of Summer Camp as I did, and that’s ok. But those personal moments you had with Jesus were intentional. What I recognised at camp is that joy isn’t something we make for ourselves through excitement or atmosphere; it’s something we receive from God in those ordinary moments.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Sometimes looking up can be daunting. Looking at the mountain to climb to get to Conference, after starting the descent down from Summer Camp. Like what do you mean we have to do it again?
Well luckily for us, the journey is made easier with someone to walk with. Like Fr Isaac said, we can’t be disciples at a distance… so how do we stay connected to Jesus every single day once the chaos starts?
Prayer
We need to talk to Jesus to stay connected. Simply, right? But if we’re going to aim sky high and start our ascent to what’s next we can’t just expect to be at the top of the mountain straight away. Start with an easier yes. Your yes to connecting with Jesus can look like 5 minutes a day. It could look like listening to worship music on your way to school or work, it could be reading a chapter of the Bible each day. Jesus gave you the things you love, so translate that into connecting with Him!
Sacraments
The Sacraments are one of the ways Jesus stays close to us beyond Summer Camp. They aren’t just traditions, but real encounters where God meets us and gives us strength for the journey. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us, and in Reconciliation, He lifts us up when we fall. Returning to the Sacraments helps keep our eyes fixed on Him as we continue the journey up the mountain.
Community
I think what I love most about Summer Camp and Conference is all the friends I get to see again, and all the new ones I get to make. How lucky are we to find people that also love Jesus! One of the easiest ways to stay connected to Jesus, is to stay connected with people who are also connected to Jesus. If you don’t already go to a local youth group, find one! The people you surround yourself with will help you on the journey up the mountain. They will help you with taking that next step, encouraging you forward and, when you need it, they will give you a shoulder to lean on when it gets tough. The joy of the Lord is our strength remember!
+ Jesus, thank You for the joy and encounters of Summer Camp.
As we return to everyday life, help us stay connected to You through prayer, the sacraments, and community. When the journey feels hard, remind us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Keep leading us sky high as we continue to ascend with You.
Amen.