Today we are talking about character. How in the world does character relate to the forging process. I'm not sure but let's take a look. Our piece of metal has been heated, shaped, and now cooled so it can be prepared to be useful. It's not the most glamorous part of the process but the quenching/cooling process reveals the true character/shape of what we have created. What comes to mind when you think about character? Don't get this confused with your favorite super hero, HGTV personality, or heroine in that book series you follow with every new release. We are talking about who you are when no one is watching. THAT is your CHARACTER.

First, maybe we should define what character is. Character traits reflect who you are deep in your core. Character isn't determined by how other people see you. It's the truth of who you are, and it's the result of the choices you make. Good character isn't about what you look like or how other people might perceive you. It's who you ARE. inside.

When I experienced blank, at times I though I'd never feel happy or at peace again. Some of those days felt so long. But the more I kept working toward my goal of holding onto the hope of God, the more I felt God at work in me. Going through blank changed me. I could feel myself becoming more patient, more compassionate, and stronger. I know firsthand that God uses perseverance to build good character in us. Sometimes it takes a while to really see it or feel it, but it does happen.

Take out your mission handbook and turn to the journal section. Using the prompts on page blank, write about your own experience and how God built good character in you. Take a few minutes to write now. If you want to continue writing in your journal, make sure you find time later today. Be ready to share your story updates with your crew at your project site.

This may feel like a huge shift in focus, but you'll see how it connects to our theme in a minute. Just hang with me. A competition show on Netflix is called "Is it cake?" How you ever seen it? Contestants create cakes that look exactly like everyday objects in order to fool celebrity judges. Trust me, this is one crazy show. The competitors make cakes that look like hats and oatmeal boxes and cash registers and other random objects. The big reveal happens when they use a knife to slice through the object, and we discover whether the inside is cake... or not cake. And that is literally the entire show. I'm not sure who came up with the concept, but those cakes freak me out. We though it would be fun to see if we can correctly identify some examples. So let's play... CAKE OR NOT CAKE? Thanks for taking time to play CAKE OR NOT CAKE?!

That game was a great example of how hard it can be to tell what's real. And that applies to much more than just cake. It can be tough to figure out people too. Have you ever misjudged somebody's character... only to realize you were wrong about them? I know I have. In this morning's scripture passage, we encounter Peter and the disciples in a boat. Jesus has gone off to pray and sent them ahead. A storm is brewing, and the disciples became afraid. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and they think it's a ghost. Jesus tells them not to fear- and Peter responds. That's where we pick up in Matthew chapter . Please stand for the hearing of God's word.

You can go ahead and take a seat. People often use this bible passage as an example of what happens when you don't have enough faith. You sink like Peter did when he looked away from Jesus. When Peter loses his focus on Jesus as he walks on the water towards him, it's a rough moment. Peter sinks, I'm sure he felt like he disappointed Jesus. But that single moment when Peter looks away doesn't determine the quality of his character. You see, our character is the product of much more than a single moment in time. Let's not focus on the moment Peter sinks. Instead, let's celebrate the moment when Peter steps out of the boat. Talk about courage and faith. Those are qualities that truly define Peter's character: courage and faith.

Consider this: What else do we know about Peter besides his momentary failure? We know that one day Peter was out fishing... and the next he gave up his whole life to follow and serve Jesus. After Peter accepted Jesus' invitation to be a disciple, he worked to support Jesus and grow the Christian church, Those are character-defining moments. Like Peter, you've probably had missteps in your faith journey. I know I have. Buy you're here now, being the hands and feet of Jesus. You chose to spend a week of your summer vacation living outside your comfort zone in this place away from home. You weren't discouraged by the fact that you'd be sleeping on the floor, eating in a cafeteria, and working hard all day in the summer sun. The quality of your character is reflected in everything you're doing here. That's the truth. Following Jesus doesn't require you to be perfect. We all make bad moves sometimes. We fail and fall... and God sees it all and loves us through it.

You can't fool God. You can't hide your true character from the one who created you. Clever cakemakers may be able to fake us out sometimes, but we can't trick God into believing we're someone we're not. Isn't that incredible? God knows you-the real you. And God loves the real, imperfect, amazing person you are. What a gift! Before you head off to your project sites, take a look at your washer. See how it has changed since you first received it. Much like you, your washer shows signs of wear from our time here. It's still the same raw material, but it continues to be transformed.

Today, add something to your washer. Tie something to it. Attach something. Use your imagination. Maybe you'll add a rubber band, a sticker, a paper clip, or a piece of string. Your Devo Kit has a few items you can use. Or maybe you have an even better idea. It's up to you. Use this as an opportunity to express who you are. You can attach something your brought with you or something you find here at camp. Get creative, and help each other if anyone's struggling to find something to attach.

Let's pray, God we're so grateful you're always working to forge us into the people you created us to be. You love us in a way that's hard to imagine. You know every mistake we've made, every word we wish we could take back, and every selfish thought in out hearts. Sometimes we pretend to be someone we aren't. We're afraid people won't love us if they know our truth. We pretend everything is perfect when we're broken. We step out of the boat in faith but then lose our focus and sink. God, help us trust in you and in your plan for us. Remind us that we're never alone, we never need to hide, and if we take our eyes off you, you'll immediately reach out and save us when we call you for help. Amen All right! Go get'em and have a great day. See you tonight.