Stop, look, and listen.

As the deadline was approaching for writing this blog, I had no idea what I was going to write about where I had seen God lately. I was busy finishing up exams and right after that work started so I was busy with both of those along with adjusting to a new schedule, among many other things as well.

One of those mornings getting up for work, very early, I was supposed to get picked up by my coworker to head to the job site. I had gotten up late and was rushing to get ready in time so he wouldn’t have to wait for me. I got ready just in time for when he was supposed to arrive but it turns out he wasn’t there yet, so I just sat outside waiting for him.

In those 5 minutes waiting for my late coworker I saw God in the brief pause in the busyness when I observed the beautiful things around me I am often too busy to notice. In this case I noticed the sun was rising, the birds were chirping and playing, and the rabbits were running around my yard on a fresh morning, and this was refreshing to just to see God’s beautiful nature carelessly play itself out under the caring and watchful eye of God.

This pause in the busyness was also reflected in the weekend I just returned from, where as young adults from my church we went on a Sabbath retreat where the goal was to do nothing. Just to rest, relax, enjoy each others company, and take a break from everything to recover with each other, and reconnect with God.

I saw God in the small things we often don’t stop and pause to observe and enjoy. I would encourage you to stop and try something different, see if you see God, even if it is just something small. Often we can see God when we stop being busy and just watch and listen instead, to let God surprise us. Hopefully a week at camp this summer can also be an exciting break from your year where you can experience God in fun and exciting ways with your friends!

-Kevin Kampen, senior Camps with Meaning staff