Our service project was cutting into a hillside leading down
to the campfire bowl so that wooden benches which we salvaged from a bridge
repair could be put in place to provide group seating. The boys and adults
jumped right in and completed a project that the planners were not certain could
be accomplished in the time allotted. But they did it, and did a great job. And
I can tell you that being able to sit on a bench Saturday night next to my son
(along with not having to carry my own seating) was a real pleasure. This was
definitely a task that was made possible by a number of people working together.
When it came time for the competition in the afternoon the
boys were surprised to learn that every single event was going to have to be
done blindfolded, well except for at some point when one member of each patrol
would be allowed to take off his blindfold to guide the patrol through the
final steps. The boys had to work together to accomplish normal scouting
activities in the dark. They had to rely on each other communicating and being
there to help. And they really had to rely on the guidance of the one who was
allowed to see.
I paired up with our other unit leader to run the first aid
event where they had (according to the story) been hiking back and got delayed
when darkness set in. One of the boys stumbled and fell and may have broken his
leg. They had to bandage and splint his leg, make a stretcher (only having a
tarp for this), get him onto the stretcher and then navigate twenty yards at a
compass bearing of zero degrees. When the injured Scout was placed on the
stretcher one of the boys could then remove his blindfold in order to read the
compass and guide them to the finish. They were required to show that they had
matches with them so that, theoretically, they could light them in order to
read the compass. Knowing what items they were supposed to have, most of the
units were fairly well prepared, but some simply were not. Some of the units
worked very well together communicating instructions, and, of course, some did
not which was reflected in their completion times ranging from just under five
minutes to, well I won’t say.
Yesterday at the end of our Scout campout, after breaking
camp and before leaving for home, we had a brief devotional time from
Ecclesiastes 4:8-13 and 5:1. In this passage there is a contrast between the
loner and the one who learns and knows the value of being dependent on others.
In verse 8 we read, “There was a certain man without a
dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his
labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And
for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity
and it is a grievous task.” (Ecclesiastes 4:8, NASB95)
I started with verse 8 because it illustrated the
foolishness of a self-focused and lonely life. When we are the center of our
lives there really is no object to it. There is no one to help, no one to
provide for, no one to share in labors and even joys. It is indeed a difficult
and purposeless life. We spoke briefly about how empty this man’s life must
have been.
Then we looked at verses 9-12 which read, “Two are better
than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them
falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when
there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they
keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is
alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, NASB95)
Looking at these verses, we talked about the competitions of
the day before and their need for each other. We talked about the Scout buddy
system where no Scout is to go anywhere alone and the foolishness of some
reports in the news recently on lone hikers. And we talked about why they were
arranged in larger patrols where they could share in their greater abilities to
accomplish even more. In considering these we even looked at the simple construction
of the common rope used for so many of their Scout activities. It is a twisted
rope of three strands, which each strand itself is made up of many, many more
strands wound together. This three-stranded rope becomes very powerful to accomplish
all that they intend. And so it is with us when we unite together as one.
In verse 13 we read, “A poor yet wise lad is better than an
old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:13, NASB95)
Unlike the single, alienated old foolish king of earlier in
the chapter, being a needy lad who knows how to take instruction is much
better. Sometimes we can all think that we know everything, but the reality is
that we don’t. Treasuring humility is an important part of life. It is the
humble person who realizes just how much he can learn from others and who
allows them to come alongside him to provide strength and encourage growth. So
it is with their time in Scouting as they are encouraged to continue to learn
and grow. But even more so, so it is with us as we hide God’s Word in our
hearts and we treasure His instruction as we listen, learn, and apply. God knew
exactly what He was doing when He put believers into the body of Christ which
we know as the church. Jesus reminded us of this in the upper room when He
prayed that we might be one even as He and the Father are one with the Spirit.
In wrapping up we jumped down to Ecclesiastes 5:1 where we
read, “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen
rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are
doing evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1, NASB95)
Drawing back to our need to be humble learners, I closed by
pointing them again to their ultimate need to be that way before God, and to
not turn away from Him. There are so many temptations out there to turn our
eyes in other directions, to refuse to take instruction, and to set a course of
our own choosing. But doing so is foolishness.
And after returning from this, I am very thankful for my
wife who tenderly worked the stiffness and soreness out of my body from a
couple of days of walking up and down a mountain, while enjoying time with my
son and a group of wonderful boys.
Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (10/14)
Be prepared to suffer for Me, in My Name. All suffering has
meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust
in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely – even thanking Me for them – is one
of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned
bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering
sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.
When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that
I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from
problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My
purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges
from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter
various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And
let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, NASB95)
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His
wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and
tell of His works with joyful singing.” (Psalm 107:21–22, NASB95)
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