READY TO GO - Week 2

Looking back on the last two years it is easy to only remember or highlight the hard times.  Times when we were lonely, feeling disconnected, confused by why God was allowing people to suffer and put the whole world into a full lockdown. However, there were so many times when I look back that I see that God was at work through it all.

When lockdown hit, I was in the middle of my AS year.  Finishing courses, prepping for exams in just a few months and enjoying the freedom of having just passed my driving test.  Going from such a high-paced life to lockdown where no one had any plans or time restraints was something I took a little while to adjust to. However, it turned out to be the biggest blessing. As a person who thrives with routine, lockdown life enabled me to really get stuck into reading God’s Word on a daily basis - becoming much more consistent than I had been previously. I encountered God through indulging in the Bible, learning more about His character and having a truly personal relationship with Him.

Fast forward to the beginning of 2021; a time we had all hoped would have been COVID-free yet, we saw ourselves in a three-month lockdown.  Back to home schooling, isolating and socialising through our phones.  I found this lockdown a lot more difficult mentally as the ‘stay-at-home’ novelty had worn off and it seemed as though we may never go back to normal life.  Being a student leader in our Scripture Union in school during this time meant that we were forced to think outside the box and step outside our comfort zones in order to witness and spread the Gospel around our school.  As a committee, we decided to hold a weekly prayer meeting on Zoom and this is something that really stands out to me during this time.  We encountered God every week during these prayer times, as we were able to catch up with peers and spend time in prayer together.  It soon became the highlight of my week, spending just a few hours in fellowship with other Christians and seeing how God was working and answering prayer.

Having finished my Upper 6th year and gained the grades I needed I was accepted into my university of choice.  I was so thankful that God had placed me in Stranmillis and had peace knowing that I was there for a reason.  As we read in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Throughout this past year, God has shown me that I am where He wants me to be and He is using me.  I have made some amazing Christian friends who are continually building me up and encouraging me in my faith and I know that I can rely on them to keep me focused in my walk with God.

I enjoy good music in almost any genre and like to sing so I am a big fan of worship.  This was something I gravely missed during times when we could not meet in person as a body of believers. One moment in particular where I encountered God was the first time we were able to be back to church (albeit at half capacity, social-distanced with masks) singing praises together.  I felt the presence of God so clearly as we sang together and praised Him; I was so thankful that He was with us throughout it all and even still when we were finally able to get back together.  There is no feeling like singing praises to God with other believers and feeling His presence with you.  This is something I have really appreciated this year at university too; going along to CU and other Christian events where I have encountered God through fellowship, talks and worship.

In GB I am a leader in the Tinies and Junior sections.  I love spending time with kids and getting to know them as well as having the privilege of sharing the Gospel with them.  GB this year really encouraged me in my faith, as the girls were so inquisitive and invested in the scripture course.  I have also lead at a couple of camps this summer where God has been so real to me and I could see His plan and purpose unfolding and falling into place so perfectly.  Jesus was at the centre of it all and one of the camps in particular was so edifying as I had the honour of seeing God change lives and young people grow in their faith which was very spiritually challenging for all the leaders.

As I look forward to this next year of university, GB and everything else God throws my way I am very excited.  I am eager for organisations to be able to run as normal, to have fellowship with others and fall even more in love with God.  Looking back at all these moments; from Bible studies, prayer meetings and worship to my Christian friends and spreading the Gospel message with children and young people I can see that last two years have taught me to fix my eyes on Jesus.  He is the only one we can fully rely on and He will see us through - no matter how tough the situation or circumstance we find ourselves in feels.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

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