The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

The past few weeks have been filled with a range of activities that have helped me get past the post-EMASS blues and focus on my task and role here in Anglia. I’ve been clocking up the miles, travelling around the division to meet Corps Officers to discuss youth work and what I can do as the DYO to support their ministry amongst young people. I was also privileged to travel to Bourne to witness the opening of their new youth centre. This week, we start up rehearsals for the Anglia Youth Band, and relaunch the Anglia Youth Chorus.

All these activities bring new starts, opportunities, and times for reflection, as well as possible doubts and uncertainties. Many have received exam results over the summer, some will have done better than they thought, and others may not have achieved what they hoped. Some will be starting new ventures in life; a job, school, college, university, etc, and may be nervous about what the future holds. Others will be finding returning to the humdrum of life after the summer break difficult, wanting to hold on the memories and excitement of summer activities, and becoming disappointed and disillusioned when the momentum is not maintained.

There can be similar struggles in our spiritual lives. Many will have been to summer camps (EMASS or similar), and have had amazing encounters with God. Friendships will have been created that have encouraged us in our faith that are now harder to maintain without all the free time summer can bring. Some may have undertaken a summer mission project or activity that has yielded fruit, but may now whither when life gets busy again.

At such times, when life seems to change and the experiences of a summer when God moves in amazing ways grow to distant memories, I recall that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t change. While our lives change, when new challenges come our way, as we fill our days with bustle and activities; God remains the same. He is always there, supporting us and waiting for us to meet with him. Our lives can’t always be led as if we were at EMASS, and God won’t always meet with us as he did at such events. Life won’t always be spent on the spiritual mountain top. But God is there.

If you’re finding time after EMASS (or another summer event) difficult; if your discouraged and feel God has left you now you’ve returned home; remember God is there with you. Have you spent regular time in prayer and Bible study? Have you been listening to God speaking in the different areas of your life? Focusing on God and spending time with him can refresh you and fill you with the same passion you felt during the summer. If you are really struggling, speak to someone who can pray with and for you, someone you can talk to about your faith, and let them encourage you in your spiritual life.

Thoughts or comments? I’d love to hear them! Facebook ‘Alove Anglia’, tweet @AloveAnglia1, or leave a comment here!