“The Battle Within”

The theme for Senior Teen Camp, 2010. It was quite an amazing week. I met some new friends, got reacquainted with old ones, and strengthened my relationship with God. Although only 7 days out of 365 in the year, those days are still some of the most memorable.

So what exactly is meant by “the battle within”? Basically, there is a war, and each and every one of us have our own struggles that we battle with on a daily basis, whether it be anger, lust, gossip, or so on. How do we overcome these struggles? Our theme verse addressed that question:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:10-17

Later in the week, we discussed the question of, “If the war has already been won (Jesus was victorious), why not just continue to live our life to the fullest?” Why do we need this armor still? Because we still allow sin to be a part of our lives. This life, the one we’re living now, is not the perfect one we have been promised. For us, the battle is still going on; we just need to be sure whose side we’re on. Even later in the week, we discussed the concept of a “rescue mission”:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” – Romans 10:14-15

Some of our friends have not heard of Jesus. So why keep Him to ourselves? Fear of rejection? Of losing a friend? I struggle with those thoughts too, and I need the strength to overcome that. But being a follower of Jesus should not be something to be ashamed of.

It was the 6th senior teen in a row I’ve been to. It felt interesting counseling at the camp where I was a camper at just two years earlier. Yet there’s still so much I have learned, and have yet to learn. And I’m certain all the other campers and counselors have more to learn as well. This week was like a pit stop, for those who have not heard of Jesus, and for those who are running low on spiritual fuel (for lack of better term). Not once have I gone to this camp without coming home refreshed.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

- 2 Peter 1:3-11

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