Constant Contact

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV)

We just got back from our annual Summer Camp. There is nothing else that quite compares with being with children and youth for a week in the mountains to seek God. He is always faithful to show up and touch hearts.

I remembered my own experience with church youth camps growing up. I felt the reality of God in a way that I could never again doubt His presence. But when I came down off the mountain I soon found myself drifting back into my old ways. How I longed for the closeness I felt with Jesus to continue…

In our Friday morning session my son Justin shared about ways everyone could not lose the spiritual ground they gained at camp. His message inspired me with an illustration. I think many times we look at camps, retreats or other “mountain top” spiritual experiences as the time we “fuel up”, as though we are an automobile with an empty tank. But I don’t think this is the best way to view it. Rather, we should think of ourselves as the monorail at Disneyland. We must be in constant contact with the Power Source. These special retreats are times for required maintenance, but then we get back on track again. Jesus wants us always to abide in Him so that we can always bear fruit for the kingdom. The only way to keep from spiritually drifting is to always dwell in His presence, connected to the Source. Are you receiving your power from Him today?