Renewing of my Spirit

This weekend, we had the opportunity to take our children (the teens) to a youth conference in Fredericton.  There were approximately 100 teenagers gathered together to grow their relationships with God and with each other.

These young people billeted out into homes not necessarily knowing the families or other youth staying with them.  There were no hassles or hesitations.  Everyone had a fantastic time.  If you didn’t know someone, you got to know them by the end of the weekend.  Old friendships were renewed and new friendships were born.

Friday night, Saturday and Sunday were filled with activities, meals and God’s Word.  The youth weren’t looking for things to do.  They weren’t bored spending time in church.  They were excited!  They were talking about what they were learning.  I know of at least one who made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus and several who committed to growing closer with Him.

I find that it is easy for me to become discouraged in my parenting and even in my walk with the Lord.  Being a part of an event like this was so refreshing.  There were some other parents there and we stayed (Jeff & I) with a lovely woman, probably in her nineties, who was disappointed when at 12:30 I had to go to bed!  She so wanted to foster the new relationship and enjoy the company of like-minded Christians.  She was refreshed by the fellowship… we were too, but oh I was tired 🙂

So often we find ourselves slipping away from the Lord or other Christians because we’ve lost the joy in the relationships.  They seem like too much effort or we may not agree on a particular issue.  Scripture is so clear on the importance of coming together.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If you’ve let your relationship with your church family or Christian friends go, I strongly encourage you to renew them.  The wealth of support and uplifting available is beyond compare.  Sometimes there are valid reasons for changing church homes, but make sure you are in a place where you can regularly gather together with God’s people.  All through the Bible, we are given illustrations of the importance God places on relationships.  This life is not all about me, but about all of us being of like mind and coming together to love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:2
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.