I Will Be With You

I have many fond memories of my first summer internship two years ago, but it started off with a lot of anxiety. This included stepping outside of my comfort zone with a new job, being the youngest intern, setting high expectations for myself, and feeling unqualified. The Lord encouraged me in those moments through my personal Bible readings in the book of Exodus. 

The story of Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3-4 particularly stood out to me when God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites. When Moses became fearful and doubted his abilities, he questioned if he should be the one to go. God reassures him with the reply, “I will be with you.” When Moses continued making excuses, God said

“Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”

(Exodus 4:11).

Through this particular story, I was convicted that the promise of God’s faithfulness is more important than my qualifications. He was the one who was in control of Sonshine Day Camp, and it was by His power and love that the children could encounter Him, rather than by my own efforts.

However, as I began my second summer with TCM this past June, I felt the need to have it all together as a returning intern. With this mindset, I unknowingly fell back into the same thought patterns from my first summer, trying to rely on my limited abilities instead of the Lord. When I shared my stress with my Outreach Worker, she reminded me of the story of Moses and the burning bush. I laughed as I thought back to the first time I learned this lesson two summers ago, and this year’s summer camp Bible lessons happened to be about the life of Moses.

As I repeatedly teach about Moses’ life to the kids, I pray that God would open my heart and the children’s hearts to this message: Trust that God is with you and that He is in control.