Monthly Thought

January 2008

So here we are at the beginning of the year (well a month has gone already actually!). A year where each of us has loads of stuff planned, big decisions to make, new things planned and old things to finish.

Some people might be making key decisions at school - options for GCSE or A Levels. Which university to go to? You might be sitting exams this year, SATs, GCSEs, AS/A Levels. Some people might start new schools or jobs this year. These times of change can be stressfull and difficult, for all of us, whatever stage we are at in life.

At YCYH we are really excited about the new plans that God has laid on our hearts for this year. The junior camp at Whithaugh is a brand new venture for us, but we believe that God is 100% involved and will bless this new work. It is a time of change for us, and that often brings stress, even though we know that God is in ful control.

I often speak to people who are "struggling to know what to do with their lives." This often refers to those key decisions I mentioned earlier. Well here is some encouragement from Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This is a massive encouragement to me. God knows what we should be doing, and because He has planned it, it will be good. This is why I am so excited about the Junior Camp. I know it is going to be hard work, but God has planned it and promised that it will be good.

"Ah," I hear you say, "How do I find out the plans that God has for me? I mean it's all very well him knowing them, but he seems to be keeping them secret!"

Well, the first and obvious thing is a "Sunday School Answer" (Sunday School Answers are the ones where you know the answer will be "Jesus" or "Read the Bible and Pray".) Yes, the first thing to do to find God's plans for you is to read the Bible and pray - how else are we going to know what's on His mind if we don't hang out with him? However, it's very rare that God then sends an angel saying "I think you should take Geography and French and Drama." So how do we know?

I refer you to what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 12: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Basically what Paul is saying here is do everything we do; do it for God. (This is the living sacrifices bit.) So when you play football, do it to your best ability as worship to God. When you do your homework, do it to your best ability as worship to God. I could go on but hopefully you get the message. He then says "do not conform to the pattern of this world." This means don't do the things the world thinks are good, instead do things that God thinks are good.

When we do these things - living our lives in a way that is worship to God, we will be able to test and approve what God's will is. That basically means test what God's plans are for you.

If I was going to sum this up in one sentence it would be: Spend time with God, doing things for Him and you will start to think the same way as Him.

One other thing I would say that we Christians often miss. God often gives us passions about things that we ignore when making decisions. If you really really enjoy history at school then take it at GCSE, God doesn't want you to be miserable doing a subject you hate. If he does have another plan for you he will step in and make it happen! In the meantime however, go with the obvious - just because you think it's a good decision, doesn't mean it's wrong!

So in conclusion, a new year means lots of exciting things and often big decisions. If you spend time with God, he will show you his plans and if you don't feel that he has then go with the one you want to do and see what happens. Don't forget as well that you can always pray with your friends, parents, youthleaders, ministers etc and ask them for advice too.

Tom Candlin