asn one: reflections

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." - 1 Cor. 1:27-29

This week, I got my own cabin! Counseling is not a new experience for me, but I’ve been a program director for the last three summers, and it took me a day or two to get back into “counselor” mode. This was also my first time working with adult special needs.

Special needs adults don’t have the same social codes of conduct that we do; in some ways, in spite of physical and mental disabilities, they are freer than most people are. Often, a temptation as a caregiver is to try bringing special needs people under our social codes; it seems, we want them to speak, behave and even think just like we do. We believe we know what “normal” is, and it seems that for people who deviate from that standard, we consider it our duty to bring them into a state of normality. If everyone operates under the same rules, things go more smoothly and more predictably; everything is under control. At camp, we try to make times where our campers can fee like themselves; moments like talent night are great chances for campers, and staff, to let loose a little bit and feel free and accepted.

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."

let me tell you about one of my campers, Max (note that the YFBC blog uses aliases to protect the identities of our campers). Max has Down's Syndrome, and loves God. Within ten minutes of spending time with him, I could see all of the fruits of the Spirit evident in his life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. To me, this is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in Max's life. Max's life was all about others, before himself. He looked for oppertunities to help, and to console those who were troubled. He prayed continually, and he trusted wholeheartedly. People study theology all their lives to try to unlock the mysteries of God, to try to understand. Max didn't have to understand, and he didn't even have to trust; he had first hand knowledge of God's love. He knew God loves him, and he wanted all those around him to share in that love. His faith was stronger than any person I've met before him.

In the world, the people we have here at camp are the despised, the lowly and the foolish. But in Max, I saw that through the foolish things of the world, God has shamed wise of this world, the scholars and philosophers. I thought God brought Max here so I could teach him, but God brought Max here to humble me.