Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NIV)
Wow, what a week it was in Colorado! Let me tell you a story of unexpected life change that occurred at Frontier Ranch, a Young Life summer camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. Carol and I attended with three other couple friends, fellow Links Players, and golf buddies. We were away in Colorado for eight days, without golf clubs!
I love the Young Life ministry. We understood more about this beautiful ministry as we served for eight years at Wind River Ranch, a Christian guest ranch in Estes Park, Colorado. Most of the staff at Wind River had a spiritual heritage connected to their time at Young Life. I saw their love for Jesus and their commitment to make him known to others. I heard of the Young Life programing and the plethora of stories of young people coming to know and follow Jesus. I remember many Young Lifers who personally told me of their testimony that centered on a 15-minute alone time with God under the stars at a Young Life camp. These real stories continue to live today.
I witnessed life change in an 85-year-old pastor and missionary. That changed me.I actually made my commitment to follow Jesus at a Young Life family ranch just a few miles away from Frontier Ranch. We visited that ranch, and I took a photograph from the spot where I asked Jesus to become my Savior 33 years ago. Oh, the sweet gift of remembrance!
As adult guests, we were privileged to see the program unfold and had the good fortune to attend the leader meetings and pray for the staff and guests. One of the adult guests (age of 85) came as a skeptic to check out this ministry because his grandson was on staff that week. This older man had been a pastor all of his adult life. He had to struggle to negotiate the terrain in the mountains and needed an extra dose of endurance during the week. But he attended everything. Toward the end of the week, he actually got physically stronger. He boldly exclaimed, “When you are renewed spiritually, you are also renewed physically. I have been changed by this experience.” I then remembered a line from the movie, Freedom Writers. Hilary Swank’s character, Erin Gruwell, told her dad, “When I see change in others, it changes me.”
I thought I was at Frontier Ranch to serve and observe their program. I witnessed life change in an 85-year-old pastor and missionary. That changed me. I pray it will continually change me in the years ahead. I know God has plans for all of us to become who he originally created us to be. We just need to cooperate with the plan. I am still learning.
Yes, today’s devotion may be just a story, but God works his miracles through stories when we are attentive and listening. Look around. Be inspired by God as you see him change others. This might even change you.
—
Randy Wolff
September 3, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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