story.

"...do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way [you] will lay up treasure for [yourself] as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that [you] may take hold of the life that is truly life."  1 Timothy 6: 18-19

 

 

I'm home.  I'm exhausted after such a weekend (EXTREME!) but I'm so much at peace.  Montreat is one of my favorite places in the world, maybe my favorite place of all time, and it was absolutely amazing to go this weekend and experience it in such a different context that actually ended up being kind of the same.

The last time, I was the student.  I was there to have fun with friends.  I was there to learn about Jesus.  This time, I was the leader.  I was there to have fun with the students, but also be the discipline.  I was there to share Jesus.

In the end though, I guess I will always be a student having fun and learning about Jesus.  That is a process that never ends, and in some ways, it was even stronger this weekend.  Watching "my" high schoolers emcee, win games, lead worship, laugh with/at me, and love each other...that, my friends, is what Jesus wants.

We spent time discussing story.  My story, their story, our story...and how it is all the story of Jesus.  He is our ultimate, extreme reality: a reality that completely transforms our story into one that casts Him as the main character.  We are simply blessed enough to be the extras, the back-up dancers, the prop-masters...and what an amazing time we have putting on a show that demonstrates our purpose and His unconditional love.

My prayer, which tonight is coming from a content and peaceful heart, is that I will be brave enough to serve the purpose for which I was created...that I faithfully play the role of Carolyn, meaning "joy" or "song of happiness"...that I take hold of the life that is truly life...that I let Jesus be my main character.