What Matters Most?
Happy faces at the IHS Camp in Durham, England
This year is meant to be a year of community for me and some things have happened to just show that God is serious about that. Who would have thought?
Let’s rewind to my sister “randomly” sending me a link to an IHS post about a summer camp in the UK. I cannot even say how excited I was. I had seen the “limited slots available” comment. So I did a very out-of-character thing and sent a message on every social media platform I had to quickly secure a spot. What if that’s not enough? What if they don’t see my messsagggggeee??? I thought
Thankfully I got a spot! But each time I remembered that going to a camp meant actual human interaction, I said a prayer and pushed my discomfort aside with a reminder that it was going to be for me. I almost started to get worried because I’m not exactly the most extroverted person in the universe
Eventually camp day arrived!
“Woooooooow” was what I said in my head, as the car drove up to the narrow winding road that led to the camp venue, revealing a beautiful castle sitting in the most incredibly picturesque way. An excited scream came out of my mouth before I even realised it. I could not get out of the car fast enough. I just knew this would be great!
Camp held at the stunning Castle Eden located in Durham’s countryside
“Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!! Oh my goooosssshhhh Bayo!!!!” I exclaimed as I saw Bayo walk out to meet us at the car park. (Girrrrl, do you always have to scream?) That’s what the voice in my head would have said if I cared to pay any attention to it.
I watched as people who were meeting each other for the first (or second) time said hello, hugged and struck up conversations. The OGs were catching up, but somehow still skilfully making sure that no one felt left out. Even though it was obvious that a lot went into preparing for this, it was clear that there was also an intentionality that superseded the natural preparation.
I thought back to the first time I had attended an IHS camp - all the way back in 2011 (on a mountain by the way), it ”felt” the same. Welcoming - like home.
”We’re going to have fun, we’ll have a good time, but I don’t want any of us to forget why we’re here, to forget the focus, to forget what matters most…”, Bayo was saying as he started the grounding session at camp. These same words would be said in so many different ways over the course of the 3 days by the different voices God was using to speak to His people. Everyone listened intently. It needed to be said. Because we can forget (Because I do forget)
This feels nice. Scratch that. This is nice!
“Learn to practice the presence…you’re here for an audience of One….”. The first worship session had started, and I was left to ruminate over the same question again. “You, God - YOU matter most. Do I act like it? Do I always get it?”
It wasn’t long before I was surrounded by a mix of voices lifted in worship - you wouldn’t believe this was the same group that a few minutes ago was swinging from family trees during name introductions.
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The same heart and atmosphere carried into every session. The same questions silently being screamed from every wall.
But in the midst of it, I started to feel a little unsettled. What happens afterwards? What happens when the little crack in the window of time closes up again? Had I really let everything I’ve heard sit in my heart?
“God…why do you really want me here? And am I out of place? Is there something in particular you want me to hear, to know? I hear the words, I know they’re reminders and instructions… but is there something for just me?”
”Stillness can be frightening because you’ll be confronted with the noise inside…but that’s okay. Stay still and quiet…Not just talking but listening…”
It was the same way every session felt - whether transitioning from listening to the guest ministers to a “chaotic” competitive games session, to having real conversations, or after a movie, or from being stuffed with tasty food to drowning in songs of worship… it was all somehow laced with a word from God and inner strength.
It didn’t mean that the odd thought still didn’t try to nest in my head, but there was no room to not hear God speak. The place was supersaturated with salt.
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”The only place to learn your identity is at the master’s feet. Sit there. Stay there...”
I wasn’t just learning from the guest ministers invited to speak - I was also learning from people’s personal testimonies; their everyday lives lived in faithfulness but, more importantly, that showed God’s faithfulness.
Toyosi (right) with Kitan during camp
“I think I get it” simple faith, simple honour, simple trust. It’s not about what or how I feel. You matter more than all that… what You say matters more, what You want matters more. Your love, Your word, Your presence matter more. I just need to learn to stay #sat. Sitting. Whatever….
It seemed the Lord had been saying and was still saying the same thing to me. I just have to sit still and draw from Him until I am so full nothing else would matter more.
Before I could blink, bags were being loaded into the cars, hugs being dished out, waves were flying and numbers were being swapped amidst groans of ”It was too short”, “Is it Sunday already?”, and last minute picture-taking.
All good things don’t have to come to an end.
I didn’t say that just because I thought that made more sense; it was true after-all. There was still a bittersweet feeling though… but I knew that some things would keep ringing in my head - after all, what mattered most wasn’t staying hidden in a castle but rather the lights would go back into the world, learn to sit at His feet and then shine as brightly as He wanted them to.
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This wasn’t just a camp for extroverts. It was a camp for people like me. For introverts. For in-betweens. It wasn’t just a camp for people coasting the mountain summits. It was a camp for children of God, who wanted to follow in His steps. It was a camp for people like me - trusting God for His help to remain in a godly community, finding connection in fellowship with no comparison. It was a call to remember, a call to obedience, a call to worship, a call to compassion.
As a wise woman once said, “Seeds of faith are planted in community”. I think they’re probably watered there too.
Toyosi (sitting to the right) along with Lilian, Damilola, Samson, Bolu & Henry during the IHS Camp in Durham, England
I still can’t fathom how they managed to fit 1 week of substance into less than 3 days, while also making it fun and memorable. (Pleeaasse, let me know if you ever find out!)
Sitting at the edge of my bed, or walking around doing the most mundane things, the words from camp - spoken and lived - will continue to resound in my mind, pushing past the noise, breaking down the walls, cutting down lies.
*”Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Peace, love and rays of sunshine.
A moment of calm from IHS Camp in Durham, England