RAKs

Free time at camp has so many great activities to choose from.  There is horseback riding, swimming, nerf wars, friendship bracelets, sign language, ventriloquism and many other activities to choose from.  The full list has 30+ items that are available.  The campers from each cabin discuss and select five things to do together as a group.  They check off the boxes of their top choices for the following day.

Among this long list of options is an RAK.  Helping one of the camp directors set up the recreation schedules for the various cabins, I asked for the meaning of this acronym.  RAK stands for ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ that can be performed anywhere in the camp.  With all the fun options to choose from, these campers can choose to set apart a time to bless others. Isn’t that great?

Generally a random act happens at the spur of the moment when an opportunity arises.  By nature, setting something up, makes the event less random and more planned.  But there is nothing wrong with being proactive in looking for the random opportunities to do nice things that are present every day. 

Scripture tells us, “How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 AMP)  This probably did not happen simply because He stumbled across lots of people who obviously needed a good deed.  People followed Jesus because He had a reputation for helping the hurting.  This came about because Jesus prepared for His day by spending time with His Father in prayer.  There are several places in Scripture where we see that Jesus went off to pray.  This was His response when He was challenged about how and why He did theses great deeds.  “So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].” (John 5:19 AMP) 

The term Christian means “little Christ” or “Christ follower”.  We, who call ourselves Christian, should follow this example of Jesus.  We should prepare for our day by asking our Father God for opportunities to show His love and kindness to others.  It’s amazing what He will show us if we simply ask Him.  “…You do not have, because you do not ask. [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives...” (James 4:2-3 AMP)  We can ask God for opportunities to see needs and bless others every day.  Once you start, you’ll wonder how you ever missed all the opportunities that are there. 

The apostle Paul instructed believers “and set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things) not on the things of this earth” (Colossians 3:2 AMP).  Just as these campers set a time to do random acts of kindness, we can set our minds to do the same.  Our daily prayer can be “Lord, show me someone to bless today.”  It can be as simple as a kind word or a 25cent shopping cart.  It may be something far more involved and costly.  Whatever God sends our way, He will provide the resources for us to respond with His love.  We must simply give over a small piece of our personal time and comfort to be His channel of blessing.

Several of these RAKs came my way.  As the camp cook, I received help both in preparing the meals and in cleaning up.  This, in turn, enabled me to get involved.  With all this extra help I was able to do more cleaning than I could have possibly done on my own.  Together we were able to leave the camp kitchen cleaner than we found it.  As the children blessed me, we were able to bless the camp staff that would return to the kitchen.

Once this becomes a part of our lives, we will not trade the blessings God sends our way.  I heard several campers tell their friends that they had helped with a part of the meals.  One could almost see the glow on their faces as they realized that their actions helped make the meal better for their friends.  I am confident that many of them will cherish the memory of their RAK far longer that all the fun and games they also participated in.  God wants us to have a good time too.  He created a beautiful earth full of goodness for us.  But just as these children chose one of their fifteen activity slots to give to others, we can give as well.

So today, as you approach a world full of hurting, needy people, set your heart to ask the Lord to open your eyes to the needs in your path.  Enjoy all the good that the Father has provided for you, but set your heart to do your own random acts of kindness.  You will be happy that you checked the RAK box as part of your day’s plan.