When it comes to camping I have always been a Tenderfoot. I remember my
first Boy Scout overnighter, Troop 104, and I had just joined a den with Bill,
Glenn, Tom, and Joe. They were experienced, read that as wild, and I was new.
I had slept out at friend’s houses, and taken walks dodging neighbors and cops,
at least in our fertile imaginations, but here was a real overnighter, in a
tent, with friends who were scouts, and were supposed to know what to do.
Supposed. And as we selected our campsite along the Delaware Canal at
Washington’s Crossing State Park, these guys soon had it set up, and we went out
to explore. Which the troop leaders identified as getting into trouble. We
weren’t lost, we knew where we were, even if they didn’t, as we had wandered
away from the group, and were cutting our initials in a tree. Which I learned
quickly identified you as the culprit, so what about the other dozen or so
carved into this tree, we were guilty of a sin against scouting. I mean, what
else do you do with your official Boy Scout pocket knife? Whittle? We were
forgiven, but we had not gotten way with anything...yet. And soon it was time
for dinner.
Where we each had planned our own meals within our dens. The older guys
had one up on us, almost constructing a kitchen in the woods, like on Rawhide
with Wishbone cooking. For us we had decided on steak, we each had gone
shopping for our own piece, a can of corn, cooked over the fire, baked potatoes
wrapped in foil, and Twinkies for dessert. Not allowed, but brought along
anyway. Not cooked over the fire. And Joe was the cook, or thought he was, and
soon we wanted to kill him. But didn’t. The grill had slipped off the rocks he
had organized, causing our almost done meat to fall into the dirt! But the
worst part wasn’t over, he then threw three of the four into the canal because
they were dirty! I still wonder why his was the only one not thrown. But it
caused an uproar, and after a day of adventure and discipline, our meal of corn
and potatoes just didn’t make it. The Twinkies were gone by dinner time, and we
were hungry. And it seemed all the other scouts had brought just enough for
themselves. Later a few weinies toasted over the bonfire with marsh mellows
helped a little, but by dawn we were starving. So we did what any animal does
when hungry, we went in search of food, and walked four miles into New Hope,
finding a store open in these predawn hours. Did I mention we were forbidden
from leaving the campground, alone?
And we thought we had made it back unnoticed, as it was still dark, and
only a few were up. Our stomachs full with beef jerky, more Twinkies, chocolate
milk, and a pork roll sandwich, we were full. But some good scout is always
there to do his duty, and we were ratted out for our breakfast run. Which we
were made an example of during the pancake breakfast, as how dangerous it is to
separate from the group, not advise our leaders, and how at age 13 we could have
been arrested. Add in our Scout knife as a weapon...Throw in the usual how this
reflected on our troop and family, and honestly, we didn’t get it. We were
taught to be resourceful, and we were. We were hungry and found food. My first
overnighter and I was branded a criminal within the troop, and for all my other
campouts with them, we would be reminded not to wander off. We looked at it
different. We had saved Joe’s life when he tossed our steaks into the canal by
not throwing him in also, had sourced food on our own, hadn’t harmed any
animals, and somehow managed to do all this without having to use any of our Boy
Scout first aid training. In our eyes we were successful....to the troop an
example of Scouts going out on their own. Highly frowned upon. Which may have
been an early sign of my later life in Christ.
The spirit calls us to Jesus, we get saved, join a fellowship, and soon
want to fit in. But we aren’t trained what to do when confronted with
problems. “Turn to Jesus,” we are told, while the body we are in prays, but
doesn’t reach out. But as I have always found, God provides, and at least one
person is all it takes. Many times we have been blessed by gifts from others,
whose only explanation is “God told me to give it to you.” Many times in
secret, with no one else aware, no church corporate prayer, no special offering,
or being anointed with oil. God knows our needs, has them already planned for,
but it takes a step of faith to see how he will answer. And in doing so, have
been on the giving end many times. In fact, many times we have broken rank with
the church, and gone on to minister as God directed, while they meet to decide
if they are going to feed the hungry. Allow an ex-con to come to their church.
To see if anyone is interested in hospital ministry. While others suffer, the
church meets. But it also gives the rebels among the Christians time to step up
and out, to use the brain God gave to them, to use the heart Jesus has changed,
and see the spirit move on them. To be part of the blessing.
For just like the Scouts have rules, so do churches. And reputations, and
a decorum that fits them. That doesn’t always fit with the spirit. And so like
a foursome of hungry boys setting out to find food, we want more, we need more,
but are told to seek God. When he is already in motion, and our waiting is
turned to delaying. And while our hearts desire more Jesus, we only get what
the group offers. Finding that like riding, you only go as fast as the slowest
rider. Rather than him speed up, the group falls behind, and anyone seeking
more, and stepping out in faith is termed a rebel. I have found I rather be a
rebel for Christ than die waiting in church. When we follow the spirit, are we
rebelling against God or man?
God has given us his spirit, which includes wisdom and truth. We know the
voice, but do we hear it? Are we good followers, and lousy Christians, or
better followers of Christ, and seen as rebels? One Martin Luther wanted more
of God than the church could offer, he wanted all of Jesus that he read about in
scripture. He wanted the spirit within him, and religion left him short. He
sought God and changed religion forever. Do we want more of God? We may not
change religion, but we can let Jesus change us, before religion does. If a
rebel, who or what are you rebelling against? Are you willing to forsake man
for God? Or happy just to be part of the group. Like oatmeal, filling but with
no flavor. The last thing wanted when all the other food is gone. Feed on the
holy spirit, and find the living water Jesus talks of. Where only he can fill
the thirst for more, and send you places you never knew of to minister in ways
you never thought possible. To our leaders we were rebels on that camping trip,
but we wanted more and needed to be fed. Are you hungry for more Jesus?
Hungry enough to seek him by yourself? By his spirit? Or weighted down by
rules? Imagine if Jesus hadn’t upset the Pharisees, he would have been just
like them. Do we want more laws or more Jesus? Who do you turn to when
hungry? Thirsty? You may be one need away from seeing Jesus in a new light.
Listen to what the spirit is saying, and obey. Be a rebel with a cause, and
make that cause Jesus. You may find yourself in good company.....pick up your
cross and follow him today. Cast your bread upon the waters to see where it
takes you. But never your steak.
And don’t forget to bring the Twinkies.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com