The life of a high-schooler as we struggle, grown and learn how to express our faith in our community.
“Do not be afraid to be saints. Follow Jesus Christ who is the source of freedom and light. Be open to the Lord so that He may lighten all your ways.” –Pope Paul II
The general youth today seems to be caught up in a long spin cycle of judgements and insecurities. Once we feel accepted or adequate in one place, we look to another area of our lives that needs a little fixer upper. Sometimes we are pressured to act the same way or wear the same thing as everyone else because sometimes it’s easier to blend in, right? Sometimes it is easier to gossip or speak about politics as a high school student than it is to speak on behalf of God, it’s just feels easier not to involve God. At school we are surrounded by our amazing friends, and fortunately for us TCA students, we get to share our faith. That’s the beauty of our school, we have the freedom and ability to worship Christ without being made fun of because we all bond on common ground. Sadly, we sometimes don’t take advantage of this gift. We don’t sing out in chapel worship, we don’t speak in bible study, etc., but why? Why is it that our hearts don’t pour out the word of God every day to our fellow Christians? Is it fear of rejection and judgment? After all, our society has brought us up on the notion that everything we do and say is going to be judge since we were little tweens, whether we admit it or not. At school all of our friends know us based on circumstance, meaning we all know each other because we are all here to learn. We know one another based on the classes or the fine arts, not by religion because we are all the same on that front. No one points out the kid in the corner labelling him “Christian” it is usually along the lines of “the red headed kid next to me in math.” I know a vast majority of students at TCA go to a common Christian summer camp like Pine Cove, Sky Ranch, and many others. At camp what astounds me is how many hands are raised in the air, how devoted the people worship, and how raw their love for God is. At summer camp everyone is united on one Godly foundation. You don’t have your homework, clubs, sports or anything to worry. Your soul purpose of going to camp to learn more about God and his never-ending and unwavering love for you. It can make such a difference to be alone without interference from society, without the pressures of keeping of your image, and just focusing on God for a week. At camp we live simply and love everyone because we don’t know what each person has been through in their lives. We are raw, compassionate, and overall godlier. But why are we not like this all the time? I was reading a book for bible study recently titled Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst, she marvelously noted that “the fuller of the flesh we are, the more we grab at anyone and anything to fill that ache for love and acceptance.” In this passage she spoke about how the fullness of God and His love and how it can affect our view of our surroundings. Either we turn to God or the world. We are called to live in the world but not of it. If we are fully grounded by the presence of God every day, we will feel compelled to raise our hands in chapel with ease. We won’t care who is watching and what others say. Lysa TerKeurst went on to explain further stating “It’s so much easier to turn away a dish of pasta if you’re completely full already.” If our hearts are overflowing with God’s fullness there won’t be any room to sing at a whisper, or decide to keep quite during bible study. If you are in love and completely and utterly in awe at a pair of shoes or an artist’s new album, you are going to want to tell all of your friends. We should feel that way about spreading the word of Christ. We should be bonded to one another by Christ and how his love shines through us instead of through petty social pleasures. We should be Christians in fellowship and free siblings of Christ, no matter the setting. “Stand up for me against the world’s opinion, and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in Heaven.” –Matthew 10:32
Trinity Christian Academy is a private coeducational school for grades PreK–12 which offers Christian families and their children a demanding, college preparatory curriculum within a Christian community committed to integrating Biblical faith and learning.