I grew up in a Christian household. My dad served in the church regularly, and my mother worked as part of the children's ministry team at the church. Because of this, I lived most of my life around standard Christian perspectives. I was never challenged in my faith, yet at the same time, I was never close to God.
Because I had grown up in the church, Christianity became a regular chore for me: attending youth group, Sunday school, and other events simply became mundane tasks that were expected of me. I did not dislike these activities, but at the same time I never particularly felt connected by them.
In May 2022, my school was forced into temporary relocation due to a fire that had occurred at the old campus. During this period, my family made the difficult decision to take me out of the high school. This was a decision we had been considering for a long time. However, the fire acted as the tipping point for our final decision. I was withdrawn from the school and enrolled at a school much closer to our home.
This school's reputation was not as well known and offered significantly fewer opportunities in comparison to my old school. I was initially angry. If God loved me why would he allow this to happen to me? Why was I watching as peers around me got to engage in various activities within their school, while I was given nothing? I continued to stay frustrated with the situation throughout the summer.
In August of 2022, I participated in a summer camp at Southern Alberta Bible Camp. The theme of the camp was Saddle Up! The idea was simple: everything we do now is in preparation for the future. Just as a horse rider takes the time to attach a saddle to the horse to make riding the horse easier, the things we do in our current life, in the end, are only part of God's plan. Although they may seem difficult currently, ultimately God has a plan for each one of us. This was a theme that stuck with me throughout the camp, but despite this, I did not take the message seriously at the time.
I entered the new school year angry and pessimistic, and this was reflected in my experience. I was not enjoying school and often felt frustrated with the situation God had left me in. The first semester was extremely difficult, as I got accustomed to the new environment. During this time, my frustrations were often apparent. However, my mom gave me on reminder that will stick with me the rest of my life: my name. The name Zechariah means God remembers. Although currently, I may feel as if I have been abandoned by God, I need to recognize that God has a plan for me. Although I couldn’t see it then, I had to realize that this was the place I was meant to be. I decided to make the most out of my environment. I made new friendships and created opportunities in the form of clubs, events, etc.
By the end of the year, my experience with the school had grown significantly. I realized that although at the time I couldn’t see it, God’s plans had always been right for me.
In 2023, I was given opportunities I would have never been able to receive at nearby schools. These opportunities ultimately aligned with some of my goals for the future. It was then that I realized the significance the decision to enter the school had had on my life. I learned much more about life than I would have ever learned at the previous school, and had simultaneously made new friendships I never would have had before.
”Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”“
John 13:7 NIV
As I embark on this new chapter of my life, transitioning from high school to post-secondary education, I find solace and assurance in the belief that God has a greater purpose for me. My decision to undergo baptism serves as a profound declaration of my unwavering trust in God's guidance and providence as I navigate the path ahead.