What’s Next?

It has been busy lately. I was away camping with the teens and youths at the United Pentecostal Church of Jamaica Multipurpose Complex in Moneague, Saint. Ann and bwoy what an experience it was! I have heard dynamic preaching, I have seen shackles broken and I have seen transformation of lives as God met with us for those few days. After those two weeks of daily dosage of Holy Ghost fire I came home to vicariously experience the North American Youth Congress that took place in Missouri. I have been challenged by what I have both heard and seen. I can only imagine the transformation that took place in the lives of those who were present.

For those who were absent for both events mentioned above, you might have had your own summer camp experience with your church and without a shadow of a doubt I am confident that God met with you as He did with us; He is just that kind of God!

There is nothing like the presence of God! The spiritual ecstasy we experience when we get together and the presence of God overwhelms us is incomparable to any other earthly experience. If you are anything like me, in moments as such you cannot but imagine what heaven will be like; to be in the glory of God forever, casting your crown at the feet of Him who sits on the throne, to sing with the angels and dance with the elders and saints who have gone on before us. How beautiful heaven must be! Yet still, if you are anything like me, you would share in my dream of never leaving the camp site. Yes! I wanted to quit school and life overall and just remain with the saints of God where the distractions are few, my mind is stayed on Him and the struggles are no more, just the presence of God!

It is such a sad reality when I have to pack my bags and board the bus back home each year. Having to come back to the place where all I have is tainted memories of sin; the corner I sat to watch the things I knew I was not supposed to and the seat I was in as I indulged in ungodly activities. My transformed mind not able to resit the old ways I thought I had left at the altar. The plagues I was so sure I was cured of now starting to resurface their ugly faces, the inconsistencies I pledge not to return to I have found myself right there; not all at once, slowly fighting but losing, I have returned to the ‘same ole same ole’. Can you relate?

I believe now is the right time to think about it, while you readjust from that place of spiritual high to your reality, whatever it is. Were you truly delivered from that besetting sin? I mean, you have felt the power of God, you spoke in tongues and your heart melt while the preacher spoke the word of God with anointing. But were you healed? Even Aaron’s rod (a mere cut of branch) budded in the presence of God! Not because it budded means it was alive or was it apart of the living tree it originated from. I dare say, not because you have experienced God these few days mean you have been delivered or converted. Don’t be fooled, “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45, KJV). The presence of God’s presence should not be an indication of the absence of our struggles. There are things that God will do, but after God has done His part we are still required to do our part.

What’s next? I am challenging you, make your 2019 summer camp experience worth it. You know where you are and where you ought to be. The things you committed to do, please do! Yes, that relationship you vowed to let go off, let go off it! That place you promised never to return to, do not go there! Those friends you need to cut off, cut them off! That besetting sin that is holding you back, get help for it! Oh, remember you said you wanted to start Bible College? Please sign up that application form and send it in! Don’t forget, you said you would be early and present for Sunday School, Bible Studies, Prayer Meeting and all other church activities, you need to honour that. Mhmm, what about helping around the house? That lazy and disobedient attitude must go! You did say you were going to commit to a hour of daily personal seeking the Lord in prayer and studying His word, please set that alarm and be faithful. The things that have been distracting you from giving your best and answering the call that God has on your life, get rid of them! What next is another level in God. We say no to the cycles! We are not returning to the former way of living! We are pursuing God with an old fashion baptism of conviction!

It is time for elevation! It is time for my generation to lay hands and see miracles, signs and wonders happening. It is time for us to stay on our knees until our communities are shaken with the power of the Holy Ghost. It is time for us to be sold out to the cause of Christ and see the demonstration of God. The book of Acts is still being penned, we are the chapters 29 and 30 that are waiting to be read of men. May all who come behind us find us faithful!

I have been to summer camps and have returned to the same ole after a period. But, I have also been there and have been completely transformed and have not been the same since. What will you choose? What is next for you? Choose transformation! Choose elevation! Choose to be a different yet better version of yourself this year after summer camp has ended. God bless you!