This story appears in FCA Magazine’s September/October 2016 issue. Subscribe today!
For forty days and nights, Moses lingered in the presence of the Lord,
hearing His voice, discerning His thoughts, conversing as with a friend. It forever altered his life. God’s presence, thick and palpable, a cloud of glory atop Mount Sinai.
Chiseled on tablets were the Lord’s commands, which Moses tucked tightly to his chest as he made his way back to the Israelites. Yet what surrounded him—people bowing down to a breathless golden calf, choosing to chase after the pleasures of the world—was not easy to digest.
Into the throes of humanity, Moses had a challenge ahead of him.
So do you.
You will face similar battles on campus, entering a new year where the pulses of temptation attempt to unravel your relationship with God. He called you at FCA Camp—in honest Huddle discussions, at evening worship where the message sliced into your soul, or maybe on the playing field in laughter and joy with teammates. And now He is asking you to take His love to peers constructing their own golden calves.
“I think that’s becoming a bigger call to believers, to be strong and courageous, because it’s getting harder to stay in a lukewarm state,” Indiana FCA Area Representative Kristina Waltman said. “More and more Christians are going to be tested—are you in or out? There is no middle ground.”
It’s crucial to stay synchronized with Jesus and move counterculturally against a treacherous tide. But you can’t go it alone. Read on for some helpful tips to keep riding the wave of momentum you hopped on at FCA Camp.
Stay enthused. Fan the flame of fervor still lingering from summer into the school year. Hearts affected by Jesus bubble up with excitement as they start back up with their campus Huddle. Campgoers share their experiences with friends and invite them to the Huddle, growing the FCA family.
“They’re excited about the decisions they made, and they’re happy to tell others about their FCA experience,” said Frankie Hourigan, Frederick County (Maryland) FCA Campus Director. “They get a boost over summertime and want to maintain that fire through the school year.”
Know you’re not alone. It can seem like you’re flying solo when surrounded by negative influences and the frustrations of schoolwork and sports. Temptations abound, and a lot of times you might feel like the only one holding tight to God. School is not easy to navigate, and it takes willpower and trust to stay strong.
But there’s strength in numbers. Remember brothers and sisters across state or county lines and take comfort—while you might be geographically separated, you are still strengthened together spiritually.
“[Kids] like to feel, ‘If I’m going to stand up for what I know is right, I know this person has my back because I’ve been through FCA Camp with them,’” Hourigan said.
No matter how isolated you may feel sometimes, there is always One who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
“They have Christ with them through the Holy Spirit,” Hourigan said.
Dare to discover a holy discomfort. Putting roots to your faith prods you to take a step or two and get uncomfortable for the sake of Christ. You might not be familiar speaking in front of your peers or starting a prayer group, but God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but one of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
Take a chance, however that looks.
“For some, that’s just identifying themselves with Jesus,” said Hourigan, “for some it’s leading a team Bible study. The first baby steps in faith are going to take a lot of courage wherever you are.”
Trust that God will not leave or forsake you. He has placed you in your environment for a purpose only you can fulfill.
The struggle is real. Troubles don’t disappear once you allow Christ to rule over your life. Jesus never promised a world void of troubles, but that’s when you must realize it’s OK to not be OK, and keep facing struggles head on.
“You’re going to go through some difficult things,” Hourigan said. “You might be going through some right now, and as soon as you go back you might be right in the midst of it.”
Huddles are imperative so athletes can gather and support each other in the scuffle, but spiritual strengthening also starts with yourself.
“First and foremost you need to be a disciple yourself,” Waltman said. “Keep your own personal relationship with Christ as a primary focus. Then let the overflow of that lead you in intentionally going out and making disciples, including if a person is wanting to be on a deeper level [of discernment].”
Gear up for battle. War is raging, and you’re in the middle of it. Throughout camp you learned to “Rise Up Tough,” “Rise Up Today,” “Rise Up Together,” and “Rise Up Tomorrow.” As you navigate your way back down the “mountain,” your heart and mind will be hit with negative influence to fall right back into habits. Yet the shield of faith is held out against flaming arrows, along with the full armor of God.
“We train them to fight against the normal culture they’re going back into,” Waltman said. “Camp encourages, challenges and helps kids as they go back into that environment.”
Choose to fight. It ultimately comes down to a choice each individual person has to make. Your spirit is willing to take ground for God, but as a human, it’s easy to quickly fall in line with what your peers are doing in order to be accepted and to fit in. You must decide what to stand for and why, one day at a time.
“Where is the pull between wanting to be accepted versus taking their stance? How do you combat the ‘flesh versus spirit’ mentality?” Waltman said.
Everyone needs encouragement. In the war for souls, band with spiritual brothers and sisters to hold your ground and take back territory the enemy has attempted to steal. Choose to be a warrior.
Pray without ceasing. Camp is naturally a nurturing environment, where walls tumble down and God molds hearts. As you go forth, pray for a revitalized heart and for God to move. Communication is communion, and the Holy Spirit sparks God’s response to a request uttered in assured belief.
“Prayer needs to be at the center of everything we think, say and do,” Waltman said. “Have a heart of intercession on behalf of that person from camp who just came to faith and may not be that connected to the Christian community yet, for someone back home who can come alongside them.”
Let the Lord do His work, but do your part to plead for strength and perseverance.
• • •
Scaling down the mountain is just the beginning. When you push through the doors of the classroom or locker room, trust that God will not leave or forsake you. He has placed you in your environment for a purpose only you can fulfill.
It’s time to put truth into action. There has never been a more pivotal time to take a deep breath, hold your ground and believe against the battle raging across campus. FCA Camp stoked the fire in your spirit. Now God must be your backbone.
“That’s why FCA is so crucial,” Waltman said. “It keeps students in the Word and in prayer to call upon the Lord to give us strength to be courageous. It’s hard to do but so important because we need to take a stand for what is true.”
Don’t let camp be a summer memory. Take what God has scribbled on your soul and Rise On to unleash the power of Christ in you to stir awake a sleeping world.
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