I was fortunate to be able to travel to Mineral Springs NC, yesterday with my grandmother and mother to Pleasant Grove Camp meeting. Going to this camp meeting is a long-standing tradition in my family; specifically my maternal grandmother’s family-the Robinsons. My grandma Dot, who is now 93 years old has been attending this United Methodist camp since her birth. And her father (my great-grandfather Aaron Coner Robinson) was one of “founders” and trustees of the campgrounds. The camp was established in 1829 and has been going ever since. The grounds are beautiful. There are 100 “tents”, really cabins in a squared-off circle and in the center in a huge wooden structure, its and open-air arbor. Under the arbor is where the worship services take place. In the beginning campers or “tenters” as they were called would go to church services 3 times per day. Now its only two times per day. But, nonetheless, the atmosphere of the place does lend itself to a spiritual closeness to God. A commemorative plaque says that “The camp meeting stands to remind us of man’s dedication and devotion to his God.”
I have been going to the camp meeting all of my life and I have always enjoyed it because its the one chance that I have all year to see relatives and family that live far away. Its really a family reunion time for everyone. This year like every year I went and saw the new additions to the babies that were born to my cousins. This year there were two newbies. A girl named Avery and a boy named Joel. Both are beautiful. I really love seeing elderly relatives too. My grandma is now among the oldest of attendees, although her sister Ruth is older at age 94. Plus, I heard there were a couple of centenarian. Since I help to care for my grandma, I always tell her if she’s having arthritis pains or a hard time that day..” Hey grandma, you’re not even a hundred yet!” She laughs.
The sermon yesterday was a good one as well; The visiting preacher based his talk on 1 John 3:23 which states: And this is his commandment. That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” The three main points which were meant to be derived from this scripture verse were: 1. Believe Big, 2. Love Generously, 3. Finish Well.
The first point reached me in the area of Faith. I think that we, as believers, must exercise our faith in our God, and it reminded me also that Believing alone is not enough. We must show our belief or faith through our actions, i.e. “Faith without works is Dead.” James 2:17. The second point, love generously, was really part and parcel of the first point. I felt like the two go hand-in-hand. Love is proof of our faith as well. We are able to love others because God first loved us. So by loving others generously,not judging, we are showing them a glimpse of God’s own love. And the last point about Finishing Well is very important in the Christian walk. The life of a Jesus-follower is not a sprint it is a marathon. Marathons are hard. They require a lot of endurance. That is the life we live…A life of ups and downs, mountain tops and deep valleys. Just because one is a Christian does not mean one is exempt from any trial or tribulation here on this earthly plane. But the difference is that Christ, with his Amazing Grace, enables us to continue on and comforts us through it all. The “world” or those without saving faith in Christ do not have that comfort. That makes me sad for them. But the great news is that that comfort and salvation is available to all people. All one must do is to repent of their sins and ask for forgiveness and turn to Jesus and invite Him to come into their hearts and lives and then live for Him and walk with Him. It is a beautiful experience to have a true friend and savior named Jesus. My life has never been the same since I received Him over 12 years ago.
Well, excuse me if I am preaching here, but I get a bit zealous when I think of what Jesus means to me…
God Bless.
