Camper Tim

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”  Romans 12:6-8 NIV

My wife and I have camper we call Hotel Claiborn.  Our mobile branch of home sits at a beautiful little lake about 90 minutes from Hays.  We have left it there simply because it is easier to use that way.  Also, I have no idea how people afford to pull campers all the time.  My truck is made to pull, but you can actually see the gas gauge dropping when I do.  I use it as a base for work and we use it as a family spot because it has turned into our home away from home.  Home is a big word to me, but it fits.  We love it there.

When I use it for work, I am there without my family.  There are a couple of men who have sites right next to ours.  So, there is usually a time when the three of us sit and have a beer and visit a bit.  My daughter refers to them as my “drinking buddies”, which makes it sound much more like a party than it is.  Sometimes the topics are light, you know – just solving the world’s problems.  But one time this past summer we turned the conversation to faith.

We were discussing helping others.  If you see someone along the road, what do you do?  If you see someone in your neighborhood who needs help, what do you do.  What if you think you are supposed to do more but you do not act?  What if someone asks you for money?  How does God feel if we do not do anything that we think is “Godly” enough?  How are we supposed to tell people about Him when we are just working day to day, not bad activities, just normal – every day. 

One of the men sitting there that night is named Tim.  I have his number saved in my phone as Camper Tim.  What he doesn’t know is that another Tim I have saved belonged to my friend Tim Lang who died in a traffic accident.  His birthday is this week so I have been thinking about him.

During the conversation that night Camper Tim seemed to think that his life was maybe not up to God’s standards when it comes to being a faithful man in a world that does not always value  that.  What if the way we live day to day does not offer enough evidence to point people to Christ?

If you have ever gone camping you may have noticed that there is usually someone who needs help, unfortunately that seems to be me. Run out of wood for a campfire?  I’ve been there.  Don’t know how something works?  Me.  Need a tool to fix something?  Also, me. 

What Camper Tim does not see is that every day since the very first time we went to that campsite is that he has gone out of his way to help us.  If I even look like I am wandering around trying to do something, he checks on me.  When we are not there, he does things like water the plants we have there.  He calls me when something looks wrong.  He has concerned himself with us.  He has in fact loved my family, every day – just like Jesus wants him to.

Do you ever wonder how in the world you can do anything good enough to matter to Jesus?

Do you ever wonder how you will know if you are in the right place, or on the right path to serve Him?

Challenge:  Every day.  You may already be there.  You may already be doing it.  Just use the gifts God designed into you to love the people He puts in your path.  Every day.

Rick Claiborn