By Bekah Houff
[Campfire setting]
Gabe: I can’t believe we are almost half way through NYC.
One: I know, it feels like we just got here.
Two: It has been nice to take a break from the craziness of this world.
One: Yeah, it’s really nuts out there. I love this NYC bubble.
Gabe: You know, one of today’s scriptures is from the book of Isaiah. The people of Israel were in exile, far away from their homes and the lives that they knew. We are not in exile here in Colorado, but we can relate to the feeling of being far away from home, maybe a little uncomfortable at times, having to adjust to new and different ways of doing things. I even feel like that at home sometimes. The world seems to be changing so fast and people aren’t getting along. It is easy to feel broken and unsure of what’s to come.
Two: Yeah, I can definitely relate. Being at NYC has helped me to think about how I can shine God’s light, and my light, into some of the brokenness of the world.
Gabe: It’s funny you should say that. My job at NYC is to be a spiritual guide for NYC participants while they are here. If NYCers want to talk about things going on in their life and think about how their faith and life interact, I’m here to talk with them.
One: I didn’t realize we had a spiritual director at NYC. In fact, I have never even heard of a spiritual director before.
Two: Me either. I suppose you would be a great person to talk with about brokenness and light and how to find the light amidst so much pain and sadness.
Gabe: Yeah, I can help with that. I love to listen to people and pray with them. And this week, as we talk about the light within us, I’m having important and meaningful conversations about the light of God shining through all of us.
Speaking of light – the light of this campfire is nice and calming. My mind and heart feel ready for worship. Can you all pray with me?
God of brokenness and hope,
Encourage us to spark fires of hope and trust in our broken world and our hurting communities.
Thank you for this week in the mountains where we can spend time thinking about the fire you light within us, your faithful people.
[Shared songs]
[Scripture: Isaiah 1:31, NRSVUE; Psalm 139:1-18]
[Reader 3 joins the campfire]
One: Hey there, Em! Come join us at the campfire. We just started worship.
Three: Hey, all. Thanks. Sorry I’m a little late – did you see that dinner line?? Geesh. Anyway, I was thinking about tonight’s scriptures while I was waiting in line. Isaiah 1:31 – I’ll read it: [opening Bible] The strong shall become like tinder and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.
Two: I love the image of fire. A spark is such a tiny thing that does such powerful work. If we are like tinder, which is the fuel for a fire – add in a spark and a powerful fire happens.
Gabe: The love of God is like that spark. A little bit can go a long way and soon, between you and God, a raging fire is burning.
Three: I wrote a Litany for our next scripture, Psalm 139:1-18. At verse 18, I found the final words, “I am still with you,” extremely powerful. I will read the beginning and ending of the scripture, in the middle, I invite all of you to repeat the words “God is still with you” after I read certain verses to remember how God is with us, always.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Three: Where can I go from your spirit?/ Or where can I flee from your presence?
ALL: God is still with you.
Three: If I ascend to heaven, you are there;/ if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
ALL: God is still with you.
Three: If I take the wings of the morning/and settle at the farthest limits of the sea.
ALL: God is still with you.
Three: Even there your hand shall lead me,/ and your right hand shall hold me fast.
ALL: God is still with you.
Three: If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,/and night wraps itself around me,”
ALL: God is still with you.
Three: Even the darkness is not dark to you;/the night is as bright as day,/for darkness is as light to you.
ALL: God is still with you.
Three:
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
all the days that were formed for me,
when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
I come to the end—I am still with you.
Three: I invite you to reflect today about how God moves through your life, even when life feels difficult. Remember, God is still with you.
[Moment of silence and contemplation, before message was shared]
Youth reflection and closing
Two: Listening to Pastor George tonight and the conversations I have had with you all around the fire has helped my mind and heart to consider what is mine to do after NYC.
One: There is a lot going on in this world. Even still, I have hope.
Three: There is brokenness in my life. Even still, I find healing.
Gabe: These are great reflections. I appreciate how willing you are to wrestle with difficult things and find hope and encouragement despite the brokenness we see in the world.
And remember that God is with you in it all. Helping you to keep your light shining brightly to all. And there are folks around you who are also here to support and encourage you. People like your parents, youth advisors, and pastors. And don’t forget me – the NYC spiritual director. You can connect with me by going to the NYC office and asking for Gabe. I’d love to continue this conversation.
Two: Thanks, Gabe. It’s good to remember we have people in our corner. It feels like a lot and I can feel discouraged. It’s good to remember we are all in this together.