As I’m writing this I’m watching our students play in a Mario Kart tournament at the high school’s MOVE Conference. As we cheer on our students I’m reminded how important it is to laugh and have fun together. Statistics show that people who laugh together actually have a stronger bond than those who cry together. But laughing and crying together make the strongest bonds. One study says, ““For people who are laughing together, shared laughter signals that they see the world in the same way, and it momentarily boosts their sense of connection.” The even better thing about laughing with fellow believers is that we share more than the same way of looking at the world, we share a common Savior. Camp is an amazing time to laugh together and cry together, to share in our common experience and to grow deeper with one another as we draw near to God.

This week, we’ve focused on the book of Hebrews which says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” While this talks about our weakness and temptation, we also believe that Jesus took on all human emotions, including laughter and fun. As Gregory of Nazianzus said, “what [Christ] has not assumed, has not been healed.” That is to say that Jesus took on every part of humanity to redeem and heal it, including our laughter and our tears. Isn’t it amazing to know that Jesus laughed and cried with his disciples. He can empathize with us. He knows what we’re going through in both our highest and lowest moments. And we can care for one another in the same way, walking together through those highs and lows. 

I would like to ask you to continue to pray for our students this week. Here are a few specifics to pray:

• That our group would open up and participate during church group time.
• That we would share laughter and build strong bonds.
• That God would be working in the hearts of our students.
• That God would call our students to himself through this week at camp.
• That our students would respond to God’s call.