The Hope of a New Beginning,
The Hope of a New Beginning,
plus, old experiences
plus, old experiences
By Scott Daugherty, SMT
Rec Supervisor >>
Nostalgia keeps attacking me as my inevitable end at Tejas approaches the horizon. If my time at Tejas can
be compared to a solstice, then I would be in the winter’s coldest chill, gazing upon the past season’s experiences
and missing the summer’s warm embrace. This is perhaps due to the fact that I have one week left before I leave the
place that I have inv ested deeply in for the better part of the past four summers. But, just as we have the choice to
define a glass as either half-full or half-empty, Christ is asking me whether or not I would like to define this last week
as filled with cold nostalgia or full of warm, uplifting, and encouraging hope. And I’m going to choose the hope! Not
only have I found that there is warmth in this hope, but I have also discovered that this hope is contagious! Let me
try to explain. When involved with ministry at the State School in Giddings, we weren’t able to take anything either
in or out of the facility, except for the experiences that we received. In that light, I have learned that the friendships,
character, and understanding that are built through those experiences are the only things that I will always be able
to take with me, no matter my physical state. Thus, those are the blessings from God that I will treasure most. That is
the hope that I am trying to explain.
Just as the word hope is the instrument that I used to give continuity between these two paragraphs, the
experiences that I undergo are the links that God uses to join one chapter of my life to the other. There were friendships that were developed that had massive impacts on my life and I on theirs that will last for eternity. Yes, that’s
right, eternity! They have pushed me to build character and shared understanding that I will be able to take into
the Kingdom of Heaven. If eternity starts now, then start investing into human accounts where moth and rust don’t
destroy. It is said in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Then Paul says in Philippians 1:25 that his purpose to remain on earth was for others because he decided to “remain
and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” So, even though my time at Tejas is coming to an
end, the purpose to which I strive towards will follow me wherever I may wander, that I may invest in others because
of His grace. And, even though it will look differently, the great thing about a solstice is that the summer is coming
again! And the great thing about Jesus Christ is that my story never has to end. That is my hope. What is yours?
8 pages 2010
904771 Camp Tejas Mag.indd 8
11/8/10 12:24:37 PM