After music and games, Todd begin the night with a story about his first surfing lesson. He had always wanted to learn how to surf so when in San Diego last year, he hired and instructor and hit the beach. His instructor gave him two instructions: Get up quick and Stay down low. After practicing a few times on the beach, Todd’s instructor told him to hit the water. While paddling out to catch the first wave, he was feeling very ill-prepared. Questions continued to race through his mind. How do I keep the salt water from crashing in my face? How do I paddle most efficiently? How do I get up? Once I’m up, how do I turn?

After attempting his first wave, he came back to meet the instructor on the beach. Waiting for enlightening instructions, the instructor repeated his instructions from before. Get up quick and stay down low. Todd thought to himself, “Really? That’s all I get? Maybe I have a bad instructor?” Nevertheless, he hit the ocean again ready to catch the waves. After this scenario repeated a couple of times and the instructor continued with the same simple answer, the instructor finally said, don’t worry about the rest, you’ll figure it out, just get up quick and stay down low.

The Christian life is a lot like surfing. But instead of two simple instructions, Christ left us with two clear purposes: To know Him and to make Him known. We often come up with a trillion questions, “But, what about…this or that?” Surely it has to be more complicated. Todd challenged the kids instead of worrying about DOING this or that, to focus their attention on Knowing Him and making Him known.

While each of the 4 talks were geared to high school kids, I’m pretty sure everyone in the room, regardless of their age, walked away challenged and encouraged each night. Whether we were pondering which old wells we have gone back to in search of life or being refocused on our purpose, the messages applicipable for all ages.

-Erin