2:130 – Do We Know What Roughing It Is?

#faithbites #faithjourney roughing

I write this is as I lay in a canvas sided platform tent with our girl scout troop in tents around us. We have very little electricity, no heat, and are cooking on the fire. Some say this is roughing it.

When we packed up the SUV, it was overflowing. I joked that if we we’re really roughing it, all we need is a knife, flint, and a canteen.

We are privledged to go camping and live like we don’t have a nice place to live. Others wish they had a tent in a safe place like this. It makes me wonder if we truly understand what roughing it means.

Scripture

• If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” – Matthew 16:24

Reflection

You may read these verses and wonder what they have to do with camping? If you think about camping, it’s to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We give up our modern conveniences to explore nature and rough it.

Being a Christian is like camping. We are pilgrims, who give up our love of worldly things to follow Jesus. We bear His cross to accept his gift of salvation.

I know the girls aren’t thinking of this as they are shoving pizza logs, s’mores, churros, hot dogs, and cinnamon rolls in their mouths. They also aren’t thinking about this when they are complaining about being cold. Buy here we are: tired, cold, exhausted, but blessed and having fun.

We have a chance if we truly love Jesus, to give us on the worldly things and follow him

Charge

How do you bear his cross? Do you strive for worldly good, or to make connections and share his word? Take time to write down and think about what you have given up to follow Jesus. At the same time, think of what you’ve gained by being a child of God.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this time when we are roughing it. Give us your blessings as we teach these girls some life lessons here at camp. Remind all of us that following you is hard and we do give up something for that opportunity. At the same time, illuminate to us, all of the wonder we have received by being in your light. In your name, Amen.