So, are you an introvert? Introverts gain energy by being alone. (Extroverts, by contrast, gain energy by being around other people.) They are generally more thoughtful and quiet (not that extroverts can’t be). If you are one, you may be accused of not liking people because large and/or loud groups of people are overwhelming and tiring on many levels. A night in with a one or two friends or alone with a book or video game seems preferable to a loud, crowded party. You may be called shy or “stuck up” because you don’t like small talk. However, you do enjoy long, stimulating discussions.
Sound familiar?This is not the be-all and end-all discussion on how to survive camp as introvert. You may have been a camper before. Maybe you've already staffed. I went in not even knowing about Super Summer until they came to my BCM asking for staffers. This is as much a testimony to my experience as anything. Take what works, leave what doesn’t. I'll try to include relevant scripture, all quotes are NIV unless otherwise noted.
- Don't panic (Raise your hand if you thought of the Coldplay song. No one? Oh well.) Seriously, though, God's got your back. He wouldn't ask you to do anything He wouldn't prepare you for. Consider the prophet Jeremiah:
The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
Or what He said to and through Isaiah:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:4-7So do not fear, for I am with you;
And honestly, I cannot think of a single circumstance in which Philippians 4 does not apply. I really recommend pondering each verse in turn and then in context. There's a lot here:
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There are plenty of other verses but I hope you get the point. If there are others that you can hold on to and pray over leading up to and during the week, use them!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9 - It's not as crazy as it seems. Even staffer training can be a bit overwhelming; packed into an auditorium with 200+ other staffers can lead to the first bit of anxiety. Then you start thinking about 1,500 kids at each camp? May be tempted to cry in the bathroom for a bit. [Yes, I did that. I welcomed it and was not ashamed of it.] Remember #1.
So two things:- You only have to worry about your 8-12 campers. You'll help corral others and keep them from causing too much trouble but your main priority is your family group.
- A lot of time will be spent with about 15 other staffers. Your fellow school staffers are the ones you'll be around most. You don't have to try to get to know all 200+. You'll likely begin to form friendships with many of staffers the week and (ideally) foster them in the months and years to come.
- You need time alone, take it. This is the big sanity-saving trick. Solitude is as necessary for introverts as eating and breathing. There will be down time, even if it's 15 minutes, so go off and be alone for a bit. If you take that time to recharge and recenter, you'll be able to give your best to your fellow staffers and the campers. Don't let yourself feel ashamed or guilty about it. If you're stretched too thin being around too many people all the time, you can become irritable, negative, cranky...it's hard to exhibit fruits of the Spirit.
This is prime time to pray, meditate, reflect, read and rest. Be alone with God. He is your refreshment.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
You can go to your room and chill (physically and otherwise). Take a nap, trust me, they work wonders. Hit the pool. Go for a walk. Sit in a quiet spot and stare are the trees or clouds. You might show up to your school early or stay back late when there are few/no people.
When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:2
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
to the person who seeks Him.
It is good to wait quietly
for deliverance from the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7
Reading is an excellent option but be mindful of what you choose to take in (refer to the Philippians passage). Personally, I was working through a Bibly study book that my church's women's group had started before camp. I also read Eric Metaxas' biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer when I could (fantastic read). The study book underlined the importance of certain disciplines like daily time in the Word and prayer. The biography was a portrait of radical obedience to God and His will in dark times. Both dovetailed nicely with the curriculum and messages at Big Church for the week as well as my Bible daily reading.
On the other hand, I'd recommend not checking facebook, no tweeting or posting pics on instagram, etc. too often. Limit that time. There's something about such technology and the internet that clutters the mind. You need a clear head to listen to God (spiritual clutter dulls the senses--listening also helps the next two things), to serve and be an example. - Be in the Word. I shouldn't have to tell you that you need to do this. If you need to be told, well, now's a good time to start as any. Paul makes a good point for an overseer who manages God's household (1:9)
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Honestly, the whole second chapter (well, the first chapter--okay the whole book/letter) gives several compelling reasons. In reading, I hope you realize you can't be a Godly example without internalizing His teachings.
Titus 1:9Accept instruction from his mouth
Use it to build others up and get at the heart of their needs.
and lay up his words in your heart.
Job 22:22All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Plus, enjoying is has many benefits. Just see Psalm 19:7-11 and 119.
Hebrews 4:12 - Pray. I got like 20+ verses when I looked for reasons why. I narrowed them down considerably, it was difficult: Pray because Jesus did (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). Pray because God will listen (Jeremiah 29:12). Pray with a thankful heart and pray all the time (Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray because it's part of your spiritual growth (2 Thessalonians 1:11). Pray for your fellow staffers, adult leadership, for campers (1 Timothy 2:1), even when they cause you trouble (Matthew 5:44).
- Trust Spirit empowerment and obey His calling. Whatever the Spirit moves you to do, do it. You'll be equipped. Just ask. You know it. Believe it. I knew I was supposed to staff last year. God told me almost as soon as I heard about Super Summer. I was terrified but I applied anyway. In the months leading up to camp, I prayed I would be ready, that I would survive the week and learn. I experienced a lot of growth in those leading months and weeks but I wasn't quite ready. I welcomed my little breakdown in the bathroom during staffer training. I begged God to work everything out of me before the campers came.
I was fine for the rest of the week. I was able to connect with my girls very well. I was honest and open. I even told them, "I'm not as cool as you think I am [even with purple hair]. I'm just as awkward and imperfect as you are." The JV group especially loved that. I cheered and sang even when I started to lose my voice. I would dance, jump and run around despite exhaustion and aches. I told my girls that if I could act like a fool, dancing and cheering, they could, too. I found great comfort in the spiritual haven the camp was. I felt more free to discuss spiritual matters. I was encouraged to see so many peers and youths on fire for God. It gave me hope for the church.
I was fine until the end of the week. At the last little staffer party on Friday night, I found myself crying alone in a corner, exhausted and overwhelmed. The week was over and the added empowerment was gone. The change in my demeanor was so radical that at breakfast the morning before we all left, a fellow staffer asked, "Are you okay?" I replied, "I'm fine. Why?" He said, "It's just you're being really quite." I smiled, "No, this is just the normal me." I can't imagine how staffers at Siloam or War Eagle can handle working all summer. One week was more than enough for me.Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20
