Soul Survivor 2013

For those of you who don't know, Soul Survivor is an organization that runs Christian festivals all through the summer that aim to develop and deepen young people's relationship with Jesus. We went to one of the festivals in Stafford which was filled with around 5,000 young people. As a youth group at St. Lukes we have gone each year for three years and I have to say God has done incredible things in me every time I have been. This year I was blown away in the first main meeting how thirsty I was for worship. It amazes me how simply having an expectation for connecting powerfully with God at these events results in a change of heart. I am really challenged that I should be just as expectant when attending my own church each week. Even expectancy in the everyday connections with God should my priority. 
Soul Survivor was such a great experience this year. We bonded amazingly as a youth group and several of the group gave their lives to Christ! It was a week filled with a lot of emotions because of the knowledge that our church's youth and children's workers are leaving for a new job. Matt and Jenny have become part of my family so it was really hard knowing it was the last youth event we would have with them in our Church. Our incredible gap year (Amy Capner) was also leaving, so knowing that each of these amazing people were leaving made it hard not to cry on the last night. 
Saying this, we also laughed SO much together! Having the chance to worship God and then spend an afternoon worshiping him by enjoying fellowship with Christian youth really encouraged us as a group. I am excited to see the effects of Soul Survivor on us as a youth group come September when we start meeting regularly again. 
I was personally really challenged by God in regard to my attitude to the calling he has on my life. He showed me a glimpse of the sacrifices I will need to make to fully live my life for him. I was shocked in one main event by the extent of the weight of these sacrifices and the Holy Spirit helped me to see what my life is for and that even in the painful seasons will I always praise God? My prayer is that He will continue to strengthen my faith to a point where I can rest assured knowing any sacrifices I make for the sake of His Kingdom are all out of my passion for the name of Jesus. One chorus really spoke to me. I have included it below because I hope that this is a prayer we as Christians will live out more effectively in future. 

Kirsty x

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour"

(Oceans, by Hillsong) 

A Chance To Act My Age

Something that keeps cropping up in conversation with people (even some of the most sensible elderly members of my church) is that I need to have fun and act silly while there are no great pressures on me to act sensibly. As you may have noticed some of the adventures I have had this year have needed a level of maturity. The need to act more professional at times or simply having to act older in order to cope with being away from home for long periods has helped me to grow. But it always surprised me when I returned home the difference in my behavior  I can act more like a teenager and I can be utterly stupid and laugh at the silliest things just for the fun of it. It made me realize that living my childhood years as a "child" is really important. 

Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying to grow in maturity and do my best to understand as much as I can in adult environments but there is something special about simply acting like a child while I still am one.  I hadn't realized the importance of this until recently.

 My relationship with my my family and close friends is one where I feel completely comfortable to act like a muppet and they will laugh along too. We went on a family holiday in June to Wales, and I laughed so much! We had the opportunity to be a family without thinking of the pressures of life which released us sisters especially to let go of "propriety" and be kids.  Somehow, I believe God delights in his children having fun. I really hope that I can continue to not take myself too seriously and enjoy being immature at times or laugh at things that really aren't that funny. 

Kirsty x