all for love.

Like many other teenagers across the globe, this summer I went to a camp. It was my first church summer camp I’d ever gone to.  About two years ago I started going to a new church and have fallen in love with the youth ministry there. The days leading up to camp were both exciting and nerve-wracking. You always hear stories of people going to camp and coming back as changed, new people. Church camp can give people extremely incredible spiritual highs. I wanted something like that so badly but was nervous that for some reason I wasn’t ready… or even worthy of receiving a spiritual high. I craved something intense, and prayed that God would do something incredible in me.
I soon found myself stepping off the loud, crowded buss and walking on the path to what would be my living area for the next five days. A wave of excitement crashed down on me. I was at church camp! My cabin group consisted of five other girls. I was looking forward to growing closer to these girls that God had placed with me. Those five days went by way too quickly for my liking. I could have stayed there another week or two. I love being around believers; it’s so encouraging and uplifting. You are able to let your walls down and share with people your true problems and gunk, knowing that they’re there to help clean you. It’s amazing.
Out of the five days, the most impacting would be Tuesday: the day after we got there. During worship, the band was playing a song called “all for love” it was a relatively new song to me, but I immediately liked it. I love worship; it’s probably my favorite part of going to church. I always feel like I connect with God darning it. I love singing and worshiping my creator. In the middle of singing this song I starting crying. I didn’t know why… a rush of emotion just poured out of me. I was so thankful; so happy that I’m covered by God’s grace and love. I was so sorry that I hold on to so much instead of release all that I still cling on to. He deserves everything, yet we hold on to so much – we’re too scared, too proud, too independent to let go. The song hit me hard. Internally and externally. I couldn’t stop crying. I tried to hold it in, but couldn’t stop. It was such an emotional moment. I felt so close to God. Like he was standing right next to me, hugging me as I was over-flowing. Ever since that night, the song has become a favorite of mine. It reminds me that “everything I need is you.” That really, God needs to be our everything. He doesn’t want our leftovers. He wants everything.

All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all
Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You (x2)
All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You
Everything I need is YouMy beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You (x2)