Growing up, there's usually an adult figure in your life who encourages you and pushes you along your faith journey. And as we get older and become more independent young people, we tend to drift away from those people, and perhaps even drift away from our faith.
Luckily for me, I was able to attend a private high school where we were encouraged to live out faithful lives. A school where each week I had the opportunity to worship and share about my faith at HAFOC if I chose to. A place where I developed some new friendships and old friendships grew stronger. A school where we started and ended our day in prayer. A place where I was able to come to know Jesus in a big and bolder way. A place where I was able to accept God's plan for me.
And most importantly, it was a place where I was able to witness the beautiful work that happens in the presence of the Eucharist. It was through the support and love of my friends that during adoration I was able to accept God's amazing plan for me, during a time when I was at my lowest.
As I went to college, my faith was pretty strong. But I didn't have my close friends by my side encouraging me to go to mass each week or pushing me to be the most holy person I could be. And throughout my freshman year, my faith was stagnant. I didn't move forward...and if anything, it went a little backwards.
But as I prepared for my sophomore year, I made a promise to be more active in my faith and to live out His plan for me. God knew I couldn't face this journey alone, so He provided me with a friend.-Lisa A friend that I met on the elevator. A young woman who was headed to Newman and was a music major who had transferred in. And for almost two full years now, this friend has pushed me and encouraged me along my faith journey. And because one friend pushed me, I have made even more friends who are on the same quest to live out God's unique plan for each of us. I have found a home at the WIU Newman Center where I am surrounded by people who know and love Him. A place where I now sing in the choir every week. A judgmental free place where I am surrounded by people who won't judge me if I break out into Christian music.
This idea of not being able to tackle your faith by yourself came to me this morning at mass as I sat with Lisa. Sitting at 8am mass on a Sunday morning with Lisa before the second week of working #WIUSMI was a reminder that God placed us in each other's lives for a reason. Because if I'm honest , I probably wouldn't have made it to church this morning if it weren't for the fact that I had already told Lisa I was going to be there. This is why we have friends who share in our faith..because they push us to grow in our faith, even when we don't realize it.
While you are out there searching for friends to share your faith journey with, make sure to get someone like my friend Lisa. Because today after mass, we went our separate ways. But in the end, we both went and got iced coffee without knowing. Find a friend that sends you a text reminder about not eating meat on Friday's during Lent. Find a friend that sends you snapchat reminders about Bible Study. Find a friend that sends you links to Christian videos and songs. Find a friend who texts you to make sure you are okay because you weren't at Mass at Newman.
So to those who have a strong faith or to those who are struggling with faith, find a friend or two and cling to them. Cling to Jesus. With friends by your side, you can continue to grow and discover God's plan for you. I promise that you won't regret it.
No comments:
Post a Comment