This story appears in FCA Magazine’s July/August 2017 issue. Subscribe today!
Summer is always a special time at FCA because it’s officially camp season!
FCA Camps hold a special place in my heart because it was in 1985 that I became a follower of Christ at Black Mountain FCA Camp in North Carolina.
Our staff and volunteers have been preparing tirelessly to make sure the 700-plus camps happening around the world this summer will be special for all of those in attendance. We’re trusting that their work will allow God to move in the hearts of thousands of lives. These next two months, I ask you to join me in praying daily for these camps.
The coaches and athletes in attendance will be participating under the banner of “One,” this year’s FCA Camp theme. The theme calls upon all of us as Christ-followers to join together in unity to make an impact for Christ, just as the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:27: “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
“One” is a powerful principle we see displayed throughout the sports world. Being one—together and unified—is the ultimate desire of every team. Coaches constantly implore their teams to play as one. Players strive to operate as one cohesive unit, rather than a bunch of individual parts. Even fans unite to rally their teams to victory. Think about last year’s Summer Olympics, where citizens of more than 200 countries were passionately cheering on the athletes representing their country. Flags flying, faces painted, loyally sporting their nation’s colors.
So, as believers, let’s try to read Paul’s words through the lens of a coach instructing and informing his or her team. We are citizens of heaven, ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. We should aim to live here on Earth like we are in our “home country” of Heaven. Just like those fans at the Olympics, we can wave our flags of the fruits of the spirit and wear the jersey of Jesus on this team that has one simple yet powerful goal: Love God and love others.
Paul goes on to explain that we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of being a citizen of Heaven. That is demonstrated through standing together with an unselfish, encouraging attitude of one, striving together to join as one to bring change to the world in the name of Christ.
No matter your age or position in life, as followers of Christ, we’re all active participants on Team Jesus! But remember, uniting as one requires everyone to be all in—mind, spirit and body aligned and committed to the common cause.
With that as the inspiration, and with this summer’s FCA Camp theme as the backdrop, let’s commit our families, homes, businesses, teams and ministries to having an attitude of “One” as followers of and ambassadors for Christ.
Let’s live here like we are there, citizens of Heaven living here on Earth to fulfill the words of Christ when He said, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” – John 17:21
Peace and blessings to you,
Shane Williamson
FCA President/CEO
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