As I watched in horror the devastating flood waters that ravaged numerous campsites here in Texas, my heart was greatly grieved. The picture that hit me the closest to home was the one pictured here of the trunks covered in mud in complete disarray. I pack my son’s trunk for camp every year. A lot goes into the packed trunk. Not only the clothing and the items he will need for camp, but also a lot of love, prayers, and visions of him having the time of his life. And, this was the week I am packing him up for his two-week camp.
Looking at the pictures of those trunks reminded me of how fragile each and every day truly is. None of us knows the day or the hour, and, certainly, disasters such as this flooding affecting so many children remind us of this truth. No parent who lovingly packed their child’s camp trunk ever thought this would be the last time they would see their child alive.
Now that a week has passed and many precious people are being found, this is a time to lean into our Father. He was there as the darkness and the water engulfed those people. Knowing this gives me comfort.
The lessons I have taken from packing the camp trunk are immense:
🧳 Be prepared. When we pack for camp or any trip, we anticipate what we will need while we are away. As Believers, we must KNOW what is needed to ensure we go to heaven. Believers must stay read up, prayed up, and studied up to be prepared for the day He calls us home.
🧳 Packing what you need. How many times have you overpacked only to find your suitcase or trunk is too full or too heavy? You have to reassess what is really important and make some decisions. Life is just like that. How many times do we overthink, overprepare, and succumb to “analysis paralysis”? Many miss the simple message of the Gospel because they overthink things. They wrongly believe accepting Christ is difficult, wrought with “rules”, and then miss the opportunity to willingly surrender to Christ. Don’t make this harder than it is. Christ calls all of us. We have a choice to respond with a “yes” or with a “no“.
🧳 Determining what is important. As you load your truck or suitcase, some things will take priority over others as the suitcase fills up. This is true for our lives as well. We have to determine what are the things that rob our time with God. Which activities are stealing our time? Then, we have to make decisions to either put God first or give over to the “time stealers“.
I am continuing to pray for every person and family who has been affected by this event. May they lean into Jesus’ arms deeply as they grapple with the reality of loss. Don’t wait one second longer to get right with Christ. He is waiting with His arms outstretched for you.