Purpose

This summer I am working as an efy counselor. Efy is a week-long camp for kids 14-18. The objective is to bring the kids closer to Christ and strengthen their commitment to follow Him. When I was a kid I attended efy four times and loved it. I met awesome people, had foundational experiences with Christ and learned to come out of my turtle shell. Thanks to efy and my sister I also grew to love dancing. Oh how my life would be different if I never went to efy. 

Each day is packed full with classes and activities. Tuesday and Friday end with dances. Wednesday is games night followed by pizza.

Being a counselor is especially great because I can force the kids to do weird stuff. I told them no pizza until they did yoga with me. Nailed it!

Thursday is the best though. On this day the youth dress up in church attire. The whole day has a special reverence as the youth learn about the importance of families and their individual responsibilities to their families. Thursday ends with a musical program and a testimony meeting. The testimony meeting is marvelous. It is when the youth can share the things they learned this week, how they have felt and why it matters to them. We counsellors call Thursday payday. Seeing the kids come unto Christ is the real paycheck. 

I am currently in my third week as a counselor. I love it. I have a purpose again. When I served a mission in Thailand I had a clear purpose. That purpose directed every minute of everyday. The year and change that I have been home has been great but also difficult. Looking back I realize that I didn't have a clear purpose in my life. Now I have a purpose again. These kids are my purpose. Helping them discover the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is my purpose. 

This summer I am learning that a life without purpose is an empty one. So what's your purpose?