Last night of camp, front row bench.
Stephen said one line.
You are never called to something alone.
I put down my Apple Pencil, tucked away my iPad.
And I couldn’t stop crying.
Earlier that afternoon, I was attempting to switch camp duties. The girls begged me to join them for Animal Survival—also known as, “the game where you get super muddy on the island in the lake”. I was so ready.
But since I hadn’t thought of switching earlier, I ended up at the pool. I was on the later “lifeguard” shift, so I had time to kill. But my girls left soon after (to Animal Survival, sigh), and I was left, clueless what to do next.
That’s when Emma showed up for her shift.
Until then, I’d been expecting a chill but somewhat lonely afternoon. I thought there was only one person on pool duty, like the others—but it turned out pool took two (pro tip, it helps to read the whole roster).
So when the other leader arrived for his duty, I sent him off. I’ll do it with Emma, no problem! I’d be on in half an hour, anyways. And someone just offered us a Bluetooth speaker. Huge bonus.
Yep, it was all just an excuse to hang out.
So, the next hour went like this. Jonathan Ogden’s Summer album playing over the speaker. Sipping ice-cold Red Bulls together. Yelling happily to the few teens who dipped in and out of the pool. And of course, deep chats.
Not the worst.
Fast forward to that evening.
Everyone stood for worship, ministry time started—and I stayed crumpled over the front-row bench.
You are never called to something alone.
The line kept repeating in my head, over and over—and the tears kept coming.
Growing up in missions, I heard hundreds of sermons on the importance of community and team. How God called Abraham and his family. How David, even in the caves, had his Mighty Men. And how Jesus had that rascally band of 12+ who travelled with him everywhere.
Yes, there were moments of alone-ness in the Bible—but it was never the end goal.
Yet somewhere in the six months since I left full-time YWAM community and ministry—it felt like it was. I started to believe a lie, dressed as “current situation”: You’re on your own, Kayla. God called you out by yourself—so you just have to deal with it.
But the one line of truth shattered it all.
You are never called to something alone.
When I finally managed to look up, and wipe most of the snot away (with what, I still don’t know), I glanced around the room. A hundred teenagers were belting out Lord Send Revival, hands raised.
But it wasn’t just the campers. Dotted around the room, there they were. Praying for the campers, worshipping, crying, too. My fellow leaders, my friends.
It hit me.
I wasn’t alone. Not then, not ever.
And I couldn’t stop smiling.
Dare I say it—you’re never called to anything alone.
It’s time to look around you.
It’s time to look up.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:19-20
