Reflections on Reflections

So.

Thanks everyone for writing your spiritual reflections the other day. It was really encouraging for me to be allowed to read such a large number of really interesting reflections. This class has really developed a deep sense of thought about day to day life and it's various struggles and successes.

I did have some thoughts that I thought I might blog - save you having to listening to me lecture them!

It was interesting to read how a lot of people are confused about both their relationship with God and their purpose in life. People would write that they just don't feel close to God, or they just don't know what they should be doing and feel 'lost'.

I wanted to reassure you that you are at the time of life - adolescence - where these feelings are really normal. There are so many external pressures; schoolwork, friendship groups, boy/girlfriends, parents... and then the 'hard' stuff like sex, alcohol, drugs, depression, self-harm etc, that often it's very easy to put God away for a few years.

Of course, God would prefer to be your number one priority, but remember this - when God feels distant, it's not HIM that has moved. No. God will stay the same no matter how you are feeling! God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

And that's the other thing! FEELINGS! If I feel like a great big grumpy elephant, does that make me a great big grumpy elephant? NO. Of course not.

If I feel like God doesn't exists, does that mean that he doesn't exist? NO. Of course not. Feelings are like rollercoasters. They go up and they go down, but that doesn't change who you are, or who God is. You've got to find FACTS and TRUTH. The fact is; God exists and he wants to have a relationship with you. The truth is; God loves you and cares for you even when you don't feel very close to him.

So don't give up on your Christian Faith because you feel distant. Hang in there!

Another interesting thing that I read often was that you guys feel like you are the problem for other people's problems. You'd write stuff like

- it's my fault my mum and dad...

- it's my fault my friend did this....

- it's my fault I'm failing maths...

- it's my fault...

I want you to remember a couple of things:

1. Adult problems are adult problems. You are not the source, nor the solution of the problem. If adults have problems, then it's something that they need to fix up.

2. You will never be friends with EVERYONE! It's impossible. God created us to be different and that means that some people will be so different to you that you will not be able to like them.

Just because you don't like them though, doesn't mean that you shouldn't LOVE them. And by love I mean the love that Bible talks about.

'Love is patient love is kind, it does not boast, it does not hold onto anger' 1 Corinthians.

If you are feeling like there is someone (friends, parent, teacher etc) who you do not like, THEN THAT'S OK! But try to 'love' them, by showing them respect and kindness when you can.

Anyway. There's just some thoughts... about your thoughts...

What do you think? Does that make sense? Do you agree or disagree, let me hear your blog thoughts!