As Tuesday broke on the Coniston International Space Station, a new species producing an unheard of and quite frankly disturbing sound emerged at 0600 hrs. Some leaders have been reported to conspire on an independent mission to deal with the said squarking bird but authorisation from mission control has yet to be received!
As the suns rays crossed the atmosphere life began emerging from the separate pods from the space station in search of food and water, only to be greeted with warm tea, freshly cooked breakfast and cereals galore, some varieties such as Magic Crunch may in fact not be made from any ingredients known to planet earth!
With the astronaut fuelled for the day, the mornings briefing began. With yesterdays focus on delving into the selfishness of Samson and the spiralling of evil, as well as seeing how God uses what He hates to achieve what He loves, we were all ready and eager to learn from the book that speaks to all nations.
Today’s passage was Judges 15 where we saw like Samson and the Philistines how we try to get revenge ourselves when we are wronged and how this only leads to further destruction, but our Lord Jesus shows how He is not only the One to whom we should entrust justice to be ultimately done in the end, but also that He is the one who patiently loves His enemies, turned the other cheek, and ultimately laid down His life.
Furthermore, each day this week we have been seeing more and more how not only did Israel need a deliverer to save them from their enemies, but also how they needed saving from themselves. Our problems are inside us and again and again we turn to evil, and the solution we need cannot be found within us, but only from an external deliverer and saviour who is empowered by the Spirit – but much more of Him later in the week!!
After the days briefing we made our way over to the outskirts of Torver for an expedition into wilder territory. With waterproof spacesuits in need for brief periods the young astronauts enjoyed exploring the flowing rivers, and the wonderful rolling fells and hills of this wonderful landscape. Part way round the lake an entertaining and competitive game of skimming stones and silent stone bombing ensued which rejuvenated energy levels and lifted spirits for the return journey back to base.
With hunger levels now at dangerous levels, a few supplies were picked up from the local town, before a wonderful local treat of bangers and mash, followed by sticky toffee pudding satisfied those rumblings. As we write this blog, Captain J. Smith is entertaining the cadets with the finest quiz in the galaxy.
Please be praying that campers and leaders would continue to be challenged by the book of Judges and the life of Samson, and how we see again and again that we need saving from ourselves and that we need our ultimate deliverer the Lord Jesus.
