Like Heaven

 The worshipers gathered. A throng of Jesus exalting, God glorifying and adoring choir. All assembled for one purpose. To praise the Lamb of God in unison. The beat of the music reverberated. It could be felt in the floor. That sound was nothing compared to the voices. Loud, unashamed, harmonious voices lifting up songs of Zion. One truth packed lyric on top of another. Not sung from the head but from the heart. Sung with deep conviction. With earnest passion. The words resounded. A reverential awe permeated the place. The focus was aimed at King Jesus and His Father. 

This describes what takes place around the throne of God in Heaven. Flashes of lightening and peels of thunder. Worship. God exalting, Jesus glorifying worship. The voices of that worship make up a large portion of Revelation chapters 4-5. 

The voices of students and adult sponsors moved me most. Ross King has been anointed. No doubt about it. This group has chosen to enter into God's presence. I heard a young man tell me earlier, "For the first time in my life I am worshiping. I forget about everything else around me and sing to God." He grew up in church. I know. Not only am I his pastor, but I am also his father.  That is one of the great things about camp. People have the chance to connect to God in ways they never have before previously. 

You get students away from television. Away from cell phones and video games. You offer them multiple chances to get into God's presence. God becomes more real for them. They encounter Him. They fall in love with Him. Many meet Him for the first time. Adults experience the same thing. That is the genius of camp. 

Last night felt like heaven. Like the angels around the throne caught up in worship, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and who is and who is to come." [Rev 4:8] Jesus is worthy. The Father is worthy the heavenly hosts go onto say, "...to receive glory, and honor, and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created." [Reve 4:11]

I don't know why we quit having camp as adults. I know our jobs and responsibilities do not always allow us to go away. Why can't each congregation have special camp meetings. Times set aside for worship, for getting close to God, for receiving the word of the Lord. 

The worship service last night felt a little like Heaven. If past experience tells me anything, the next two nights will be even more intense. The presence of God will be experienced by many. The truth will continue to be expounded. The Savior will be exalted. People will be saved. The angels will rejoice. Then it will be back to reality in a couple of days. Camp life is a break from reality. We have our own schedule. We operate in our own little world largely oblivious to what is happening around the world at large. Camp life is a little like Heaven. I wish all adults could experience it as well.