I’ve been talking for about a year about the contrast between people who understand they are “image bearers” and those who don’t acknowledge this. The vision is important because if we are made in the image of God, then we were made to create and contribute. We have what it takes to create life around us and great things are possible when we believe that. What happens when you believe you already have enough? Enough stuff, enough relationships, enough experience, enough support, enough strength- to be the best you that you can be right here and right now. Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God, and enjoyed it. They were people, His creation, and He was God- and He was big enough to take care of them.  This changed when they believed they didn’t have enough.

We, as image bearers, have the DNA to listen and trust when that “still small voice” speaks to us saying “you have what it takes to make a difference…”  This trust characterizes people today who regardless of their income, social status or situation- believe they were made to make a contribution to this world- and they have been given enough to do so- today. These folks are attractive to say the least. We follow people like this because they give us courage to believe and hope in the fact that we have big time value, and we can make significant contributions to a greater good. They provide leadership just because they have a “sound estimation” of who they are- and they act with confidence with this knowledge. Their anxiety is limited, and their hospitality big, no matter what measure of “stuff” they have on a scale determined by the world.

On the other side of the coin are most of us- who believe we don’t have enough. We (I say “we” because I spend more time in this camp) are Consumers. We believe we need more. We may not acknowledge it, or show awarness of how our behavior reflects this, but most of us live life as if being a consumer is not just something we do, but someone we are. This isn’t just about material possessions, or the entertainment that most of us believe is paramount to a full life. Its about relationships, skills, belief, ability, gifts, context. Most of us believe that we need “more.” This is reflected in behavior that shows an expectation of the consumer to spectate and not participate. We evaluate and engage in constant transaction….its commerce at all levels- economic, social, spiritual, physical. In church- many people go, and evaluate it, and ask each other- did you like it? Was the singing good? Much of the questions center around the quality of whats presented, and how we would “rate” the experience. These are similar to questions we would ask about a new Mexican restaurant, or a movie we saw last night.

The contributor, however,  expects a life of collaboration.  They plug in.  They accept responsibility for their part, and trust the responsibility of others to live into their part.  They see life as participatory, and listen for cues from the Master Story Teller.  They trust that they have a specific role to play, and when they choose not to act- it is a choice based on trust, not an ambivalent lack of engagement.  I am developing these ideas weekly, and diving into this “consumer vs contributor” conversation more and more. I would appreciate your questions and comments.

I want, lastly, to comment on an experience I had last week that brings home this question of how we see ourselves. I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker for the annual vision dinner to raise funds for Camp David of the Ozarks in Rolla, Missouri.  This post is already a little long, but I have so much I would like to say about that experience.  The directors of this camp, who serve the children of incarcerated adults, are Ben and Grace Smith.  They are young, and not trained as social workers or counselors or coming off seminary degrees.  They just simply acted on a calling to help these children believe they are loved through a camp experience.  They are making a generational difference, and they started this big time work just 5 years ago.  When I got to tour the camp- I saw a beautiful piece of land, with a multi purpose building, a ball field, and a few small “covered wagon” tent cabins surrounding a fire ring in the woods.  This was camp!  No lake, no blob, no zip lines, just campers together with staff who love them and stay with them even when they’re difficult and resisting the very love they desire so much.  And, pretty much all of the urban children whose parents are in prison had never been out of the city or into the woods before their week at Camp David.  Oh yeah, and they all get to come to camp for free.  The Smiths just believed that people would come through and finance this great idea…. I mean, this calling.

Ben says that when the kids fight- he doesn’t like it, but it is a great opportunity for everyone to learn because they’re being honest at this time.  Ben gets it, and is “engaging adventure” by entering into their fights, making peace, and listening.  Behavior management is important in this camp community of “at risk” kids- but its not the ultimate goal.  Changed lives of kids who know they’re loved …. that’s the goal.  Its happening, too.

So, I show up to this fund raiser- and there’s almost 400 people there.  Everyone is local, from or around Rolla, population 16000.  There are people from the local college, groups representing Catholic ministries, homeschoolers too.  I met a guy who works for the Southern Baptist Convention as well as the Pastor of the local Assembly of God Church.  College students and local business folks were also in attendance.  The guy who was running the fund raising portion of the dinner said “This is our camp, this is Rolla’s camp.  What a difference we could make tonight if all of us who believe we are truly blessed, gave like we are blessed.”  Ben and Grace never once described their camp is “little.”  They spoke of needs, but spoke mostly about the kids, and how God is changing their lives.   It was also obvious that people who were coming around this fantastic work, were inspired to do so by this young couple who just said yes.  The Smiths didn’t bring a big endowment, or advanced degrees, or a persuasive multi level marketing plan.  They just changed their lives to love kids who are hurting- and they believe that they’ve got enough.  The dinner just was a method to share the joy everyone had who was already involved, with those who could claim their identity as contributers- and collaborate in this work of God.

The evening came to a close.  Everyone there seemed genuinely glad to be a part of the Camp David family when it was over.  I was inspired.  This “little” camp with its upstart leaders helped redefine what “big” can be.  They provided hope that we all can be true contributors.

They also raised over $33,000 that night.

What have you been made to contribute to?  What have you been made to create?

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