Camp life is great. I mean that sincerely. I look forward to coming to Look Up Lodge every year. Pastor Greg does a wonderful job planning the trip. This year we brought around seventy people, the largest group we’ve ever had. A huge thank you to First Baptist Ninety Six and Temple Baptist Church for letting us use their buses to get everyone here.
Camp is also a break from normal life.
I’m not used to sleeping on a camp mattress in a room with nine other guys that’s about one-third the size of my bedroom at home. The days are longer. The hills are steeper. The snacks are a little more plentiful, especially after I collect what I call the “chaperone tax” from any snacks found in my room—whether the camper is willing to contribute or not. Bedtime is later, but somehow the wake-up time stays the same.
So after all of that, my Apple Watch informed me this morning that I was poorly recovered. In fact, according to the watch, I’m radically poorly recovered.
The funny thing is…
I actually feel pretty good.
I’m sitting in the camp cafeteria drinking copious amounts of good coffee and working on Sunday’s sermon. Sure, my body is probably more tired than normal, but I’m looking forward to the day.
It reminded me how careful we have to be about letting something—or someone else—tell us how we’re supposed to feel.
I could have looked at my watch and decided, “Well, my resting heart rate is up, my heart-rate variability is down, I didn’t get enough deep sleep, so today is going to be terrible.”
Technology is a wonderful servant, but it’s a terrible master.
It can give us information, but it should never determine our outlook.
That got me thinking.
Every morning something is discipling us.
Our phone.
Our watch.
The news.
Social media.
Our emotions.
The question isn’t whether we’ll be influenced. The question is which voice gets the first and final word.
David prayed,
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalm 143:8, NLT)
Maybe before checking our recovery score, we ought to check our identity.
I’m not sure what—or who—spoke into your life yesterday.
Maybe someone told you that you weren’t good enough.
Maybe you feel like a failure.
Maybe your own heart has been preaching discouragement to you.
Maybe your circumstances have convinced you that God has forgotten you.
But none of those voices have the final word.
Because of Jesus, I am forgiven.
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom… and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Because of Jesus, I am God’s child.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
Because of Jesus, nothing can separate me from His love.
“Nothing… will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)
Those truths don’t change with my recovery score, my emotions, or my circumstances.
So today, my tired body doesn’t get to call the shots. I’m going to tell it what we’re going to do, and I’ll let God’s Word—not my watch, my emotions, or anyone else’s opinion—have the first and final word about who I am.
That’s a much better way to start the day.