So my sister - the middle one - she's started her last year of school. She's started it, though in some ways, her last year hadn't really stopped. She's started it and she's got assignments and exams and hours of work pouring out of her ears and working its way into her eyes, her mind and her heart. She and her friends.
And I've spent a fair bit of time with them over this past month - seen them as they've made the most of these holidays before their final year at school. Seen them as they've consolidated and re-affirmed their friendship, determined not to let the threatening tide of grades and performances and ranks wear away at their hearts and their friendships. And It
Each and every one of them is God-fearing. Is loving. Is strong. Is brave. They are wonderful and intelligent, and I have said this before and I will say it again: I am so proud of my beautiful sister, and I thank God for the friends He has put in her life.
And here is a little message from my heart to theirs, and anyone else in a similar position.
Dear brothers and sisters - for such a relationship I can claim through Christ,
The World will try to conform you to their standards. It will seek to tell you that how you perform is all that matters, that what you do is who you are. It will push you to achieve, and achieve regardless of the cost to yourself and to those you love. It will want you to put your trust in your grades - because when your trust is in something so changeable, then you are off balance, unfocused and easy prey for the Enemy that threatens everyone, but especially those who are God's children.
And into this the World will come. The World will what you to act a certain way, to do a certain thing. It may try making you wear a mask, conceal the Truth of your heart and your mind and your soul, because the truth of those three is a powerful light, a candle burning bright. And if you're trust is in the Lord, then it is burning bright with a Truth the World does not wish to face. It burns with the Truth that we have fallen short of the Glory of our Creator. It burns with the Truth that we are imperfect. And this the world has no desire to hear, no desire to see. So it seeks to snuff it out, to hide it. And the World knows that the surest way to snuff out a candle is to smother it. And so it seeks to smother the Truth of your heart and your mind and your soul before it has seen the Whole Truth burning there.
The World seeks to smother the Truth burning in your because it is too afraid of the bad news there to look long enough to see the good news. The Gospel. It does not see - and sadly often does not wish to see - the Truth that our Creator God stepped into our fallen, broken, imperfect lives and became the God-Man. The Truth that Grace is on offer and that all who chose to accept it are raised up to Glory of our Creator, are made perfect. But, for all the World does not wish to see this, the World needs to see this.
My friends, you know the Truth. I see it in the way you treat each other, in the activities you choose to be involved with, in the topics that bring your eyes to life. It is my prayer, my earnest prayer, that you will resist the schemes of the World. That you will always know that it is not what you do and how you perform that matters, but who you are and into what you place your life. Recognise the mask the world wants you to wear for what they are: a basket with which to cover the Truth burning within you.
And as I have spent time with you all this past month, I have been saddened that I am moving away, for I have felt a pull on my heart towards each of you. I pull that tells me to love and serve you as I can to make this year, if not easier, then pleasanter for all of you. And I know that my location will limit my ability to do this. I know that there are many people in your lives who are loving you and praying for you and who you can turn to for aid in times of stress, but I want you to know that you are always welcome to shoot me a message, by Facebook or phone, or that I am always ready to put on the kettle (should you happen to come to my door), whether you have need to pour your heart out or simply to sit a moment and just be.
And that bring me to one last thing I wish to say. I'm sure you've heard this all before, but I'll say it hear too: do make sure you sit a moment and simply be. Take time to close your eyes, breathe in, appreciate the fact that you are alive and breathe out a prayer of thankfulness to our God, our Provider. Take time to admire sunsets and praise the Great Artist. Take time to sip delicious drinks or savour tasty foods. Take time to laugh. Take time to cry. And with each moment, turn to God as our Comforter and our Father. You'll find that time slips through your fingers as sand does, but don't forget to stop for a moment each day to appreciate the Creation around you and the friends that are with you. This is so, so important. Because as long as you make time to enjoy Creation and speak with God, then you'll find the World can not steal enjoyment and your relationship with God from you.
I am young yet, I know. I am not much further along in life than you, I know. But I do hope and pray this is of some help, some encouragement, some blessing in your life for you. And with that, I shall conclude. May God bless you all richly, may this year be a joy (though it brings with it pain), and may you always know that you are loved not for what you do, but who you are.
With love,
Laura
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