My first summer as a counselor at Inspiration Point has come to an end, and I'm back into the swing of school. Everyone is getting bombarded with the question, "How was your summer?" Most people respond simply: "Good! How was yours?" The reply is also one word, "Good!" Now someone is approaching me with that question. How do I go about answering? I can't just say "good," and move on. "Good" is a word I use to describe how my ham sandwich tastes. Do they really want to know how my summer was or are they looking for the thirty second response? I stop and attempt to gather my thoughts. What is the best way to sum up my summer?

So how was it? I was stretched and challenged more than ever before. God revealed himself over and over in countless ways. Let me answer the question by telling about what God taught me.

This summer, I caught a glimpse of what the love of God looks like. I've heard it hundreds of times from the love chapter. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). At camp, we were encouraged to love the campers "where they're at." Up until this past summer, I thought most people were easy to love. I've had no problem talking, dealing, hanging out, and spending time with people. However, looking back now, I see that I really chose not to love some people by simply avoiding them.

This summer, avoiding difficult people was not an option, and I didn't want it to be. I learned that love meant not giving up on the kids when I got frustrated. Love is selfless in every circumstance. This includes taking a genuine interest in what my campers' are excited about, whether it's their stumbling explanation of how they won their dodgeball game at free time or a discussion of the score of the wiffle ball game during cabin activity. Whatever it takes, love finds a common ground with others. Love cares enough to sit with them and listen to what's important to them. Love insists on accepting people as they are by not magnifying their flaws, but by instead viewing them as God does. Love is not easy. It's only easy to love those for whom we have mutual feelings.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:46-47, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

Who is God? God is the One True God. He is an unshakable and unchangeable God. He is faithful and just - all of the time. God is good. God is love. God is perfect - all of the time. God is not these things because we say he is; God is who he says he is. We don't define God, God defines himself. God's faithfulness and love are not relative to my emotions. We tend to categorize God's attributes by how we feel. God is a God of absolutes. Take comfort in knowing he is who he says he is. Be still and know he is God.

What I learned this summer might just sound like a typical Bible Camp response, but my challenge to you is this: When you look back at the summer of 2009, ask yourself, "What has God been teaching me?"

Were there chances to love others and view them as God views you? Were there opportunities to throw out selfish motives and adopt a servant's heart? Let us change our attitude. When life gets tough and worries weigh us down, let us not try to merely get through, but let us enjoy the process of learning God's simple lessons.

So if I'm already drained in the beginning of the day, Lord, help me to look to you for energy and fill me with inspiration to pass on to others. If I'm weary, give me strength. Where I am selfish, make me selfless. When I feel like I can't give any more, help me to give all I have, and then some.

What if I lived a life worthy of the calling I received? What if I gave all that I had?

So when someone asks me how my summer was, it's difficult to put into words. I spent all summer with kids who were fired up about their faith! I watched God wrap his splendor around broken campers and perfectly weave his beauty in every detail. I spent my summer discovering who God is. Does it get any better?

I still don't know exactly how to answer the question, but I do know this. My God is good, all of the time. I know my God cannot be shaken. I serve the author of salvation.

I love my God!

Chris Kjolhaug is a sophomore at Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota