Holy Ground

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28  NIV

Last week I had the chance to get away from the world. Of course sickness tried to keep me away, but the Lord won. I began the journey weak and tired, but it's a journey worth going on.

During the summer there is a lot of craziness that goes on while on this holy ground. With the craziness though comes a longing and a calling from God. Some children start off frightened and unsure about the week ahead. Most of them are not only away from home, but away from family as well.

Loud Christian music plays while tweens and teens dance like crazy and shout out praises to God. Seeing God here is easy since all the distractions are left at home. The morning begins with a devotion, two times a day small groups meet to learn more about God together, there's praise time, worship, and the evening ends with devotions. Of course fun games and different activities are thrown in throughout the day.

By the end of the week no one really wants to go home even those who were unsure at first. After all spending time with God is relaxing. Somehow the stress of life at home seems to be lifted. Burdens are left at the altar. Some hear God calling them to a new path. Some are reminded of what God wants us to do for him.

Reality begins to hit the day before we have to return to the world. How can we keep this feeling of closeness to God? How can we answer the calling? By continually making time for the Lord our self. Taking time in the morning to seek God out, listening to Christian music, reading our Bible, ending the day seeking God out.

God promises to give us rest if we just come to him.