This past summer I had the incredible experience of traveling from Tennessee all the way to California, then to Texas, Missouri and Arkansas sharing the Gospel and playing OMC with hundreds of kids. Prior to the summer, whenever I told family and friends that I was spending so much time in a van with the same people for 8 weeks, most of them laughed at me while giving their most insincere, “Good luck!”
As I sit here eight months later, I would give absolutely anything to be back in that van with those people driving to California. There were days when we spent 15+ hours in the van driving across the western United States. For me, it was not about the view, the fun games we played, or the awesome dance parties we had in the car: it was about the intentionality. One of CentriKid’s defining characteristics that I resonate most with is that we accomplish every task with the driving force of intentionality. One of our most beloved quotes is, “Life-change happens best in the context of relationships.” It pushes us to have meaningful conversations with every child that comes to camp. Not only does it drive our attitude when campers are around, but even we have time off.
During those long hours of driving and riding to California I cherished the moments when I was able to learn something new about my teammates. I tried asking more than just “surface-level questions” to truly understand the heart of my team. Yes, there is importance to learning what career a teammate wants to pursue, but I was really challenged by a friend this summer to be intentional about being intentional. Through these conversations with teammates, we were able to encourage each other through our weakness while praising the Lord for the goodness of His Gospel in our lives. We were able to pray for each other and carry each other’s burdens as we learned to love each other even more. True life-change happened for me because of these intentional conversations and relationships. It was beautiful to see how the Lord used broken people to come together to glorify the only unbroken One to so many kids during the summer.
What I like most about asking intentional questions is that it does not have to happen in a cramped van driving to California. As Christians, we are all called to live intentional lives with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ along with our friends, colleagues, and family.
I am immediately reminded of the relationship Paul and Timothy shared together. Paul was incredibly intentional on teaching and encouraging Timothy as he grew stronger and deeper in his faith. The opening of 2 Timothy displays this so beautifully when Paul writes:
“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy…”
I am thankful for the memories created while driving to California, but I am even more thankful for the conversations we had as teammates that pushed each other to follow Christ more. I challenge you today to not sit idly by and be content with shallow relationships around you. Pursue relationships like Paul and Timothy, who deeply care for one another, and push each other more towards Christ.
About the Guest Blogger:
Carson Albritton has been working CentriKid since 2012. He has been a team leader, a stage host, a rec staffer, a track time manual writer, and has served at Lifeway’s VBS Events. Carson is a student at the University of Georgia.