Making a Splash

Bible Reading: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:9-10; EPHESIANS 2:10; PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13

Kayla fidgeted in line for the summer camp’s popular water activity. Counselors monitored campers as they climbed an elevated platform, jumped onto a brightly colored inflatable, and clambered to the end to await the next jumper whose impact would catapult her up and into the lake.

Kayla was excited. Now she wasn’t sure.

She also wasn’t sure about lunch earlier. Kayla had remembered a sermon about

making a difference for Jesus and sensed she should leave her usual friends to sit by a girl who seemed lonely. But when Kayla tried to talk to her, the other girl mumbled, eyes downcast. Awkward! Worse, Kayla’s friends didn’t understand at all.

A counselor interrupted Kayla’s thoughts. Her turn!

Kayla peered down. An older, larger girl was waiting. Kayla suddenly wanted to bolt. Leave this platform. Leave this camp. Leave the challenges to someone braver.

But too many people blocked the way. No turning back.

Kayla drew a shaky breath and jumped. She did it! Then she realized her weight had barely launched the other girl. Kayla’s cheeks burned as she scrambled into position, relieved it was almost over and that her own launch would be minimal. The girl behind her was tiny.

But when Kayla glanced back, her counselor, Maddie, grinned before cannonballing.

Kayla screamed in surprise and catapulted several feet before landing in the lake with a loud splash. When she bobbed to the surface, Maddie swam over.

“Was it fun?”

“Actually, yes,” Kayla admitted. “I was nervous though, especially when I saw you!”

Maddie laughed. “One of the things we teach here is that we don’t get to choose the size of our impact for Jesus. Just like each camper doesn’t get to choose how large a splash they make in the lake. The jumping order? It’s by the counselors’ design.” Her eyes twinkled. “Sometimes we mistake people who ‘make a big splash’ in life as more important. But what if our awkward, so-called failures are part of God’s plan to bring more people to Jesus? He alone knows the results. Our only goal is to please Him by trusting Him to help us do His will.”

Kayla thought while she walked back to her cabin. I don’t have to worry about the awkward lunch or the embarrassing launch—I just need to trust Jesus. PEARL ALLARD

How About You?

Have you ever tried to make a difference for Jesus, but it didn’t go like you hoped? God is pleased when you obey Him and share His love with others. He knows how it will turn out in the end, even if it doesn’t feel successful to you right now. Instead of worrying about whether or not you made a difference, simply follow His lead and trust Him with the results.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 CORINTHIANS 5:9 THEREFORE WE MAKE IT OUR AIM, WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT, TO BE WELL PLEASING TO HIM. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust and obey God.