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That Little Bit of Hope



If you are friends with me on social media or have talked to me in person recently, I would like to apologize (but not really) for the explosion of camp pictures and stories I have subjected you to.  I have been able to volunteer at camps for children with cancer or other reasons for hospitalization over the last 5 years, and I cannot begin to describe the amount of joy these camps bring.

First of all, they are just plain fun.  Getting to hangout with awesome kiddos and teens for a week and do all the camp activities is awesome, but that isn't where the joy truly is found.  One of the theme songs for the week is R. Kelly's World's Greatest.  Here are a few of the lyrics of this song:

I am a giant
I am an Eagle oh
I am a lion
Down in the jungle
I am a marching band
I am the people oh
I am a helping hand 
I am a hero
If anybody asks you who I am, just stand up tall look 'em in the face and say
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey I made it, hmm
I'm the worlds greatest
I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it, hmm
I'm the worlds greatest

Like I mentioned, these kids have been through awful things that no child should have to experience. They are either sick or have experienced a sibling going through cancer, and they still have joy.  My favorite part of the song is when the kids sing "I'm that little bit of hope".

I can tell you right now that is EXACTLY what these kids are.  This year especially I have been amazed at the selflessness these kids have shown.  They went above and beyond in being a friend for each other.  They help their friends with a new diagnosis feel comfortable, went out of their way to find the camper who was homesick, little ones shared their candy with campers that seemed sad, and most importantly they were vulnerable with each other in their stories.  They understood that instead of sulking on all the bad things that have happened to them, they can already at such a young age use their stories to help someone else.  They shared advice, encouragement, and love freely.

Not only do I find a little bit of worldly hope here, I see a whole lot of hope in Jesus through this.

I think Christ knew what He was doing when He told us to have childlike faith.  

"He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me". (Matthew 18:2-5)

The reason these camps exist is to let the kids be just that-KIDS!  Which makes it even more impactful when they are the ones teaching me something each year.  

From working with children, they truly have the most selfless hearts and strongest faith.  Kids are resilient and don't let the problems of this world get in the way of their faith.  This is not to say they don't have pain or struggle, but time after time I have seen them overcome this pain for His glory.

This world has some crazy dark things going on, so I think it's important for us to try and live like these children do.  Why do we get so caught up in the small everyday stressors in our lives that living like Christ takes a backseat?  If someone so young who has experienced so much bad can be selfless, why can't we?

I think as we get older we become so caught up in our responsibilities, jobs, and relationships that we think we don't have time to be radical for Christ.  However, I don't think it's about making time for one really big radical event- while those are great, it's about more than that.  God calls us to be bettering ourselves daily and making our hearts more and more like His.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:24-27, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets a prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified from the prize". 

The context of this verse is Paul discussing that He preaches off of conviction and desire, not because someone is forcing him to.  Conviction and desire to be like Christ is what counts.  I think it also relates back to our everyday lives.  The best thing about watching the kids at camp is that they weren't even aware of their selflessness; they didn't do things because someone was watching or because they thought they had to; it was just a part of who they are as people.

If we train and fight to become more like Christ everyday, we will become more like these kids.  Our hearts and actions will start to reflect the love He shows us every day.  If the salvation of those around us is more important than the meaningless things of our lives, shouldn't we invest time in our Spiritual relationship daily?  

I want a love for Christ that matches a child's: full of trust without question and a selfless nature that comes naturally.  The more I achieve this, the more others will see Christ's love through me.

He must become greater, I must become less. (John 3:30)

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