How was a disastrous camp a turning point in David’s life?
“I was born into a Christian home and am grateful for everyone who taught me about Jesus.
“Through my teenage years I had questions about what I had grown up believing—not because of doubt, but because a youth leader had challenged me to genuinely ‘own my faith’. He said that if the Bible’s words about Jesus were true, then being a Christian wasn’t just about my upbringing, but it was the result of God’s work in my life.
“I came to understand this as I read and re-read Mark
’s gospel on a church camp when I was about 16 years old. The camp was both a disaster and a success. Heavy rains washed away all our equipment, leaving us holed up in a shed for three days. We couldn’t leave until the floods subsided, so I had plenty of time to think seriously about the claims of Jesus.
“That camp was a turning point for me. I read from the Bible about how Jesus calls people to repent and believe the good news about him. Mark 1:15 was the verse that highlighted this: ‘“The time has come,” [Jesus] said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
“To repent means to turn from one way of life to a new way. It’s not a common word these days, yet it’s something that every Christian does when we come to know Jesus. We turn from whatever or whoever we are following, to following Jesus instead. It’s a lifelong commitment that God enables and equips us for.
“Jesus’ death on the cross meant I could be forgiven for living my way instead of his way. Jesus continues to give new life that will last for eternity, and each day we are privileged to live for him.”
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