The A2 exam stress was beginning. The pre-Easter rush of trying to complete the course and cover all the content was in full swing. Soon, this would all be a distant memory as June would finally arrive, bringing summer and all the excitement that would lie ahead, or so I thought.
Then, during the long-awaited half-term, we were told that school was finishing for the foreseeable future and that the exams were cancelled due to this worldwide pandemic called Covid-19. This was not how I expected to finish my final year of high school.
Just like many others, tears and questions filled my mind. What is going to happen with results, university, and the future? All routine and familiarity quickly vanished. But one thing is still constant when everything else seems to be fading away, the God who created me and loves me still has a plan and a hope for my future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) says ‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.’ The Son of God, the Messiah who shed His blood for us, is the meaning and purpose of our lives and we need to hold tight to Him and to the many promises He has given us in His word, with full confidence that He is still the reigning King of our world, no matter the circumstances we are facing.
Many in the secular world tell us that there is no hope and that God is not in control. But despite what our society is saying, we know that God is still faithful, and He still keeps his promises. I know I can look back and see all the times God has worked situations, which I thought no good could from, for my good and His glory and I am sure that this time will be no different.
During isolation all the idols that I have created in my life, whether that be my schoolwork, my social life or striving for my idea of a ‘successful’ future, were all stripped away and only He remains and that is enough.
God has taught me to really trust Him with every part of my life and not to rely on my plans. I don’t know where God will lead me in the future, but I do know that his plans and timing are perfect. Isaiah 55:9 (ESV) says, ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
God has reminded me that I need to look above my circumstances and situations and to turn my eyes upon Jesus, as He alone is my only hope.
As the hymn says:
‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour
And life more abundant and free’
