This week we’re privileged to hear from church members inside their homes on how life has changed and how Jesus Christ has been faithful. Today we hear from Campbell Miller, a 10th grade student at Bearden High School. Her words remind me of the true value of knowing Jesus, no matter what my circumstance is.
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One month ago, everything in life was ‘normal’.
It is crazy to think that we are now in a moment in time where it is not okay to go to school, go to church, go see friends, or even be around certain family members. The very things we enjoyed the most: sports, school, friends, eating out, shopping, going to movies, all of it, has been stripped away.
So, what do we have? How can we remind ourselves that even though we seem to have lost so much we still have the Greatest Gift, Friend, and Savior? Jesus is the one thing that remains constant in our life. Hebrews 13:8 reads “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” He is just as faithful now as He has ever been. Jesus Christ is the same for all eternity. We still have the opportunity to meet with Him, spend time with Him, and worship Him.
When we have lost money in the stock market, He is our treasure.
When we are distanced from those closest to us, He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
When we have lost our happiness, He is our joy.
When we are fearful, He is our security.
Now is a time for believers to put to practice the faith they preach. God uses these trials to test and stretch our faith. Ask Him to show you where you are weak and where you lack faith. Trust Him to do His work in you.
As a teenager during this pandemic, it has been somewhat of a challenge to adjust to this new season of life. I am not used to any of this, specifically not being at school and not being around friends. I am not sixteen yet so I cannot drive. I am not a senior so I am not missing out on prom, or missing out on my last year of high school and possibly even graduation. I do not know what it is like for other teenagers going through this but I do know that I am not heavily impacted by this pandemic compared to others around me. One of the verses that I have really been focusing on during this whole process is Philippians 4:6-7:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
At times, I have been anxious and scared as to what is going to come next. This verse has helped me to remember that there is no need to worry about the way things are. The solution is to give the problems over to the Only One who can actually do something about them. Through this entire time of being quarantined, I have really taken the time to strengthen my relationship with Christ. There is no better time to do it than right now. With so many distractions in this world, as Christians we tend to stray away from Christ at times. I think Jesus has called us instead to be a light in a world of fear and darkness.
Campbell Miller
