Monday, February 1, 2010

What it all comes down to!

The greatest commandment, the highest calling we have as Christians is to obey that which we find written in Deuteronomy. Something I am so blessed about my learning here at Ambrose is that what I learn about class is completely relevant to my spiritual life. I am so blessed to be able to learn class I was learning in one of my classes that what we find written in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. This passage says

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Ultimately, to live a life in pursuit of Christ will mean that we do those things. If we learn to follow and live this passage, what is known as the Shema, everything else will become a natural overflow from the love we have through our relationship with God.

This past summer I was lucky enough to work at Eagle Bay Camp as the Assistant Summer Director. The Summer Director and Camp Director were in the Holy Land, Israel, just a month before our summer camps started. This trip changed their lives and on one of the teaches that was given to them they learned in detail the importance of the Shema to the Jewish people and the role it should play in our lives. They were really challenged by this teach and when they came back to E.B.C. they suggested that every morning at staff meeting we as a staff recite these passages. What a great way to start off our day! Right after our staff meeting and before we headed out to do camp ministry the entirety of our staff declared with one voice that we will live that day loving God with all of our heart, all our soul and all our strength.

I challenge you friends, start your day off by declaring that you will live that day loving God with all your heart, soul and strength!

-kyle.trigg
(kytrigg@ambrose.edu)