EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Assignment tested spirit behind gift
By Rick Stinson
Certain experiences emerge as spiritual milestones to revisit for a lifetime. One occurred during my college years.
After a summer job ended early, I had two weeks of unexpected free time before the fall semester. I decided to devote those two weeks to serving God. I called the director of Pioneer Ranch, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's summer camp in Alberta, Canada, and volunteered.
Great timing! High-school camp was about to begin, and he believed a last-minute volunteer was an answer to prayer.
Driving there, I was invigorated with great expectations of the wonderful time ahead serving God. I could see myself leading horseback rides through the forest, teaching the finer points of canoe navigation on a shimmering lake, guiding adventurous hikes on mountain trails, huddling with campers to investigate the Scriptures. With years of experience as a camper and leader, I had skills to offer and a heart eager to serve.
Little did I expect to arrive and discover that all the leadership positions were filled. What the director needed was someone in the "out-trip shack."
Good grief. Anything but that!
A dingy shed with dim lighting, dirt floors and stale air. Working alone, measuring rations of pancake mix, packing utensils, washing pots charred from campfires. Preparing meticulous lists of stuff campers need to take on overnight trips. It was endless, mundane routine.
The first day in the "out-trip shack," I was not a happy camper. Resentment seeped into my spirit like ink poisoning water. The shack's dim lighting was further darkened by my attitude. Hours dragged as I wallowed. What was
I doing wasting my time at camp? Why didn't I think of taking a vacation? How would I put up with days of menial tasks? What kind of idiot camp director would waste my talent in this shack? Needless to say, visitors to the shack walked into a dismal room.
Pride was the one thing that kept me from quitting that first day.
Lying awake on my bunk that night, I couldn't think of a way to save face if I packed up and left.
The next day, a small voice began to speak to my inner spirit, penetrating the gloom. The message came as a simple, profound question that cut to the core of my being: "Whom are you serving?"
It didn't take much reflection to realize my misery was the product of self-deception. I had decided to serve God, but my despair clearly demonstrated that I was motivated by what was in it for me. The spirit's gracious conviction of the depth of my selfishness stirred a strong response to turn away.
"Forgive me, Lord," I cried out inwardly. "I really did come here to serve you."
The breakthrough in perspective totally transformed my outlook. Suddenly, the most menial of tasks done in service to the Savior became a labor of dignity and joy. Sunshine began to filter through my gloomy spirit. Depression gave way to delight. The inner change seemed to brighten the dimly lit shack. Visitors now encountered a cheerful presence. The camp became one of my most cherished experiences.
My spiritual milestone was a life lesson in the central idea of Jesus' greatest message, The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Rather than external acts, God requires inner righteousness, the right living that flows from right motives and attitudes. At the heart of the matter, it is a matter of the heart. A heart transformed by God.
Rick Stinton is president of International College and Graduate School, an interdenominational Bible college and seminary in Honolulu.
