3. Influence

What a man is has more influence than what he says.



These words just shout truth. It is easier to speak 10 sermons than it is to live just one. I was at camp this past week; Camp Frenda. I did so many crazy things throughout the week such as Rockclimbing, Canoeing/Kayaking/Bodyboarding, Waterskiing/Wakeboarding, and Horseback riding. When Sabbath came around it was our day to rest. I was sitting on the beach when I noticed a girl sitting by herself on the picnic table. I approached her and asked to sit down. She nodded in consent so I asked what she was reading. 2 Timothy. We'll call her Natalie. I found out quite a bit about her. She was my age and had been attending the camp for a couple years now. She told me she was born and raised Hindu. (What? At a Seventh-day Adventist camp? Monotheism v. Polytheism?) Natalie is an only child and has a foster mom. When she first attended the camp she really enjoyed the campers and the friendly counselors, she loved the different activities she could get involved in, but most of all...she was fascinated by the worship services. They were and currently are lead out by a fellow by the name of Maxwell. At each service he would lead out in music (guitar) and singing. One particular worship service when Maxx was singing, Natalie began to cry. She felt the Holy Spirit so near and God right at her side. She then gave her life to ONE God and believed. Natalie, to this day, still looks up to Maxwell and the way he lives out his life for Christ. She has some struggles at home though. Her foster mom is an athiest so it is hard for her to have worship and to pray. She has yet to be baptized because she wants to do it at Camp Frenda when she is a counselor herself (so in a couple years). This is the pinnacle of being an influence in the way you live.

May we also keep "Natalie" in our prayers as she is continually praying for her foster mom.