It has been about a month since the 3rd session of Maywood Christian; but I looked forward to it for quite some time before it finally came around. My plan for the week was to fully savor each moment. I wanted to store treasured memories in my heart. It turned out to be one of the best weeks I ever had!
It began on the way to camp. Our great nephew rode with me. As any 9 year old would be he was excited to be on the road. He talked non-stop all the way there. Naturally his enthusiasm fueled my own.
"I've been waiting ever since I woke up this morning!"
"Oh, I can't wait to get there!"
"Will Nathan be there this year?"
"I wonder if any of the other friends I made last year will be there."
"Do you think I will be in the same cabin as last year?"
These were just a few of the questions and comments tossed my way. About three quarters of the way to Maywood, he started recognizing landmarks. I thought it was amazing he could remember so much when he'd only been that way once - and a year ago at that.
"We don't take this exit do we? It's the second one right?" he asked.
"That's right," was my reply.
"Hey, Aunt Robin - we've been on this road before."
"Yes - about a year ago," I said. He smiled.
It became our running joke. He would say something like - "we were here before" or "I remember this." And I would say, "about a year ago." I could see his smile; but I only knew he was laughing because his shoulders were shaking. Hunter is a great kid. I love being around him. We were both happy to finally arrive at Maywood Christian Camp.
Now, imagine longing for a place filled with joy and love - where beautiful songs of praise are heard on a regular basis. Everyone is happy to see everyone else - there is no hatred - all prejudices are gone. The worries of the world are gone. This place is full of love and light.
Am I talking about Maywood Christian Camp? No. I am not talking about this great place on earth, although much of what I described is true. I have never seen the place I'm talking about -- I have never been there; but it is real and I long to go someday.
Heaven is a REAL place - a wonderful place filled with mercy, and joy and love- a place of indescribable beauty where peace abounds because God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are all there. Oh how I want to be in this place prepared from "before the foundation of the world" for those who choose to serve Christ!
The good news is we can be there. It is not an impossible dream - if we are willing to love Christ enough to follow His commands. See it takes more than saying we love Him. As the apostle John says,we must not only love in word; but in deed and truth. Love is an action word.
Consider a young couple who have dated for several months. Perhaps the young man tells the young lady he loves her. He treats her with kindness. He respects her body. He encourages her dreams and ambitions. In other words, he shows her he loves her by his actions.
But what about the young lady? Perhaps she says she loves him too; but she does not return his kindness. She demeans him and expresses no faith in his abilities. She dashes his dreams and expects him to pay attention only to her. Does she love him? What do her actions say?
So many times our actions show the exact opposite of what we say!
Jesus said "If you love me, keep my commandments."
"Oh, but I do love you, Jesus."
"Whoever has my commands and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
So what are the commands of Jesus? Love God above all else. Seek His kingdom first. Love others as yourself. Treat others as you would have others treat you. Forgive others - even your enemies.
Umm, what was that? Forgive my enemies? Surely Jesus didn't say that? Yes - yes He did. I know it is not an easy thing to do - sometimes it is the most difficult thing we will ever do; but through the love and strength of Christ we can learn to forgive.
These are only some of the basic tenets of the Christian lifestyle - one that is fully focused on loving God and living for Him. There are others such as repenting of any unrighteousness in our lives and being baptized to wash away our sins.
The thing is we have to study the Word of God to know what Jesus tells us to do and how He wants us to live. In order to get to the place we long for, we have to know what Christ wants us to keep (obey).
We learn this through the gospels and the other books of the Bible. This is where we learn about Christ, His love and His commandments. The scriptures are the only thing we have to go by in order to get to that beautiful place called heaven. Nothing else can get us there. Nothing.
Yes, heaven is real. God is real. He is the one true and living God. Jesus is real. He reigns in heaven with God. The Holy Spirit is real too.
The thing is we have to choose. We have to choose to believe in God and Christ and the Spirit. We have to choose to believe heaven is a real place waiting for those who make this choice. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him" (ESV).
God will reward the ones who believe in Him - who seek Him. Jesus declared oneness with the Father. He said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Just a few verses later Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (v.15) - which is about where we started. :) So we've gone full circle on this.
Hunter and I (and a lot of other folks) wait all year long for one wonderful week at Maywood Christian Camp. This year my week was very special indeed. I have many precious memories stored up in my heart. I will always cherish them.
Yet the place I long for most is more wonderful than even the best week at Maywood. Let us show our love for Christ by keeping His commandments. Let's study the Word so we can know all about Him and what He would have us do. Remember heaven is our goal and it will be so worth it!
Christ above all things,
Robin
