You're Accepted: 8 Days Post CampSample

# ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY Isn’t it exhausting trying to match someone else’s appearance or to be someone you’re not? Sometimes we can find ourselves not accepting ourselves based on others’ standards or qualifications. At camp this past week, like never before, we realized that Jesus not only chooses us just as we are, but also values the special role each of us plays in our crews and in church. We’re each so individual and so unique. Sometimes when we struggle to see that, belonging can be tough. At times it’s because we feel afraid to open up or to be ourselves, but camp brings us out of that because it feels like family from our morning devotionals to service to breakouts. We leave with at least thirty-five new friends, but this doesn’t have to stop at camp and it shouldn’t. You didn’t receive the revelation of family in order for you to now walk alone. It’s meant to be something that we as young people carry together; sharing and passing on this uncontainable truth about God while having loads of fun doing it. That is the goal of community! We need community more than ever in this age where individualism has been normalized because of busy lives and schedules. Community has fallen to the side because “ain’t nobody got time for that.” Yes we do, and at youth this is our favorite thing. Like the scripture we read says, we all have very unique and active roles in the building of community. The enemy would have you believe that you have nothing to bring in the hopes that it would keep you isolated and away from the crew that has a seat with your name on it! But because we know we have been adopted into this community, we no longer need to walk alone! Take the time to be immersed in the contagious joy and unity that is in the community. Text your crew leader and your friends from camp. Keep showing up! We can’t spell YOUTH without YOU.