Early in my career a friend and mentor taught me a lot about leading and loving people well. He passed away a few years ago, but so much of what he taught me sticks with me today. For example, he encouraged me to “live in a state of preparedness.” Lately, I have been thinking of his advice to “keep the main thing, the main thing.”
Too often in my life I let other, less important things become the main thing. Instead of jump roping with my kids, I make a phone call. I choose to unload the dishwasher instead of playing one more game of basketball. I get home from work and then promptly check my email. Each time, I allow the less important things for that moment become the main thing.
Throughout scripture Jesus is the master at keeping the “main thing the main thing.” In Mark 2:1-12 Jesus heals a paralyzed man. Amazingly though, he first forgave the man’s sins. For Jesus, the “main thing” was the condition of the man’s heart rather than the condition of his legs. Jesus did go on to heal the man’s legs as well, and the man walked away with new legs and a new heart. All who watched were amazed.
At Laity Lodge Family Camp, our main thing is creating space for families to engage with one another and connect with God in significant ways. If we’re not careful, we can let good, though less important, things get in the way of our main thing. As we enter the busy summer season at LLFC, I pray that families will experience the main thing and be amazed by what the Lord will do in their midst.
Questions to consider:
