Senior Day Sermon

This was the sermon that I wrote and preached at my church for senior day. I went through it quickly and kind of adjusted some things so that you would understand, or that it would fit better to whoever may be reading.

I remember the first time that I ever heard one of the seniors talk at my church's children's day, and I remember being nervous to one day have to present, myself. I remember thinking of what I would possibly say while I was up there, all eyes on me, tons of people expecting a great message. My ideas for that message changed just about every year, until finally, a few weeks ago, I got the idea to bring all of my ideas together into one message. My message in one sentence is: Trust God to use your problems for good.

2Corinthians 1:8-9 says "We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead."

I love that verse. It's so real. God has placed it on my heart to share something real, that many people may be facing or may need to hear. Somebody that I love once told me that the number one f word used by Christians was the word 'fine'. We go around and when we're asked how we are, we say that we're fine, even if we aren't. Even if we feel completely broken inside, we have this mask to hide what we've gone through, and what we're going through. Today, my mask is off. Today, I'm kind of going to share my testimony, I'm going to share things that I have experienced in hopes that I may be able to inspire at least one of you, and help you to realize that no matter what you're facing right now, you're not alone. Whatever you're facing right now, whatever problems you may be experiencing, trust God to use it for GOOD.

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Anxiety was something that I struggled with almost my whole life. It got so bad over the past year that I would have several panic attacks every week, I felt anxious at every moment of every day, and I had to take a break from things that I once loved. I couldn't be on stage anymore, as soon as I knew that I was going to be on stage, I would freak out about it until it was over. I considered giving up the opportunity to share this sermon with my church because the idea of being up on stage in front of all those people, speaking, terrified me.

Anxiety has this power to control you. Part of you wants to do something, but the other part of you tells you that you can't, and you're just frozen, you can't let yourself do it. Whether it's speaking up during class, or going to the store, everything is just terrifying. With anxiety came doubt, I didn't believe in myself...there were people who sang better than me, there were people who were nicer, there were people who were better looking, and I beat myself up constantly over everything...I was so terrified of what other people would think of me, but the only person who was really thinking anything negative was myself. I used to be bullied in school, starting from 2nd grade, but I wasn't really dealing with other bullies anymore, I was bullying myself. I realized that I didn't want to live like this anymore, that I needed to change something. I started going to counseling, and I started reading my bible more, I started talking to God more...and the amount of progress I made in just a few months was incredible. I got to the point where, when I walked in a store, I could go by myself and feel confident. I got better at talking to people, speaking up in class, and so much more. And while I was improving, there was still one thing that made me anxious. I'm a part of Teens for Christ, which is a concert that my church does a few times a year. I wasn't going to do the most previous concert...because I knew that I needed a break to get back on track with God, and I didn't want to be up here for the wrong reasons. When Barb (my pastor's wife) asked me if I was in, I felt God telling me to say yes, and so I did. Then I found out that I was singing the opening song, and that caused a panic attack almost every time I thought about it. I was trapped in this fear; I even got to the point where I dreaded practice. I realized I told a bunch of people about the first concert we ever did, and as time went by, I stopped telling people about the concerts that we would have. The amount of anxiety that had developed throughout that time was overwhelming...Before I knew it, May 15th had come, and it was the day of our concert. As we were waiting to come out, all of me was shaking, and I came out, and I sat down, and I closed my eyes, and I prayed. The old me would not have done that, yes, I was still dealing with this anxiety, but I was getting closer to God. And, I walked up to the mic, and I sang the first verse, and the bridge, and then I closed my eyes. I was still shaking, and I remember just asking God to calm me down, because that voice was NOT mine, he didn't give me it for my own selfish reasons, he gave me this voice to glorify him, and to spread his word. As I opened my eyes to sing that next verse, I wasn't shaking. That anxious feeling was gone. I felt happy to be up on stage, like I was meant to be there, and I just felt these tears in my eyes. If we pray, and if we expect God to answer our prayers in the way that they are meant to be answered, then it WILL happen.

Anxiety is still something that I battle with, but I wouldn't take it back, because it has helped me to bond with some of my best friends. It has given me the opportunity to help them through difficult times, and to be there for them in times that they are experiencing it. It has helped me to be more understanding of why people may be nervous to do things, and that it's not silly that they feel that way. One of my best friends has been experiencing anxiety lately, and she told me the other day that seeing how much I've changed throughout these past few weeks, how I have made such a big improvement, that it helps her get through the anxious times that she's facing. If God can help me through those times, then he will help her too, she just needs to trust in the fact that he WILL do it. I'm not saying that my anxiety is gone, and that I will never have to deal with it again...but I'm saying that God is good, and we may go through difficult times like this, but we can use it to connect with others...and when we are feeling this way, we need to trust in him to steady our hearts.

"Steady My Heart" Kari Jobe

Wish it could be easy

Why is life so messy?

Why is pain a part of us?

There are days I feel like

Nothing ever goes right

Sometimes it just hurts so much

But You're here

You're real

I know I can trust You

Even when it hurts

Even when it's hard

Even when it all just falls apart

I will run to You

'Cause I know that You are

Lover of my soul

Healer of my scars

You steady my heart

I'm not gonna worry

I know that You've got me

Right inside the palm of your hand

Each and every moment

What's good and what gets broken

Happens just the way You plan

You are here

You're real

I know I can trust You

Even when it hurts

Even when it's hard

Even when it all just falls apart

I will run to You

'Cause I know that You are

Lover of my soul

Healer of my scars

You steady my heart

And I will run to You

And find refuge in Your arms

And I will sing to You

'Cause of everything You are

You steady my heart

Even when it hurts

Even when it's hard

Even when it all just falls apart

I will run to You

'Cause I know that You are

Lover of my soul

Healer of my scars

You steady my heart

I'm not gonna worry

I know that you've got me

Right inside the palm of your hand

2 Corinthians 4:17 says "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

I've learned throughout the years that sometimes God doesn't change our situation, because he's trying to change our heart. In 2003, my Uncle was killed in the line of duty. As a young kid, that's hard to understand, and though I was only young when we lost him, I still struggle with it. I don't get to run up to him on the holidays and give him a hug, he's not here today to see me share this sermon, he won't be there when I get married one day. I have to miss out on so much without him here, but I don't know what my life would be like if he were here...Losing him was a terrible thing for my whole family, and so many others...but we have used that pain to do good. This was my 4th year attending a trip called Law Enforcement United. The riders go from Reading, PA, to Washington D.C. within three days, on their bikes. Law Enforcement United is to honor the people that we have lost, and to encourage those who have lost someone. The feeling that I feel when on that trip is indescribable. I have met so many people on that trip that have helped me, and that I am able to bond with, and be there for in that time. On the last day of the trip, my sister and I hand out thank you cards to the officers, to help bring them some joy in this dark time in their lives. I wouldn't be able to do that if I hadn't lost my uncle. I wouldn't be able to help other people or officers if my uncle were still here. God has used this pain in my heart for good. This trip shows that no matter what we're facing, that there are other people who are going through the same thing, and that we aren't alone in these bad times.

We are given this life because we are strong enough to live it. Everything that we face can be overcome with God.

I've been through some difficult things, and I went through some pretty dark times. I struggled with depression for several years, I was bullied, and there were times where I tried to make a permanent decision for a temporary feeling. And as I was writing this, I was looking back at those times, and I was crying, not because I'm sad, but because it's amazing to see the change. When you're in a time like that, you don't see things getting better, you think that things are going to stay like that, you think that those school years are going to last forever, and that you're never going to be happy. Well, to all of the high schoolers, middle schoolers, and younger, these years aren't going to last forever. Make the best out of the moments that you have. If you're going through a hard time, it's not going to last forever. I thought they would, and here I am, finished with high school, in a place where I never really imagine myself to be. If you have those negative feelings about yourself, I encourage you to use that for good. Whether that means you sit with someone at lunch, even if they aren't popular, smile at somebody when you're walking through the halls, or even reach out to someone who is lonely, I encourage you to use your pain for bigger and better things. I don't want to forget those years, because they made me who I am, and that doesn't mean that you should dwell on what you're going through...that means to embrace the life you've got.

Next year, I'm going to LCCC to get my associates in Psychology. I feel that God is pulling me in that direction, that I've gone through too much to not use it. I want to use my experiences to help others through their times, and I want to learn more about what causes people to behave how they do. I didn't imagine myself going in this exact direction, but I feel like that's where I'm meant to be, and I'm not afraid of wherever God is leading me. My life, our lives, are in his hands, we are made for good. We need to be alive in him!

"Alive in You" Jesus Culture

From beginning to the end

All my life is in Your hands

This whole world may hold me down

But it can never drown You out

I'm not merely flesh and bone

I was made for something more

You are God, You're the Great "I Am"

Breath of life I breathe You in

Even in the fire, I'm alive in You!

You are strong in my brokenness

Sovereign over every step

Even in the fire, I'm alive

I'm alive in You!

Through the dark I hear Your voice

Rising up I will rejoice

For I was lost but now I'm found

'Cause even death can't hold You down

You are God, You're the Great "I Am"

Breath of life I breathe You in

Even in the fire, I'm alive in You!

You are strong in my brokenness

Sovereign over every step

Even in the fire, I'm alive

I'm alive in You!

It's no longer I who live, but Christ

Who lives within me, Christ who lives within me

From beginning to the end You deserve the glory

You deserve the glory

It's no longer I who live, but Christ

Who lives within me, Christ who lives within me

From beginning to the end You deserve the glory

You deserve the glory

You are God, You're the Great "I Am"

Breath of life I breathe You in

Even in the fire, I'm alive in You!

You are strong in my brokenness

Sovereign over every step

Even in the fire, I'm alive

I'm alive in You!

You are God, You're the Great "I Am"

Breath of life I breathe You in

Even in the fire, I'm alive in You!

You are strong in my brokenness

Sovereign over every step

Even in the fire, I'm alive

I'm alive in You!

I lost my way a few times, I didn't put my trust in God when I should have...but he is so good. How amazing is it that no matter how many flaws we have, no matter what happens, our God loves us anyway? He WANTs us to flourish! He WANTS us to grow above what we are going through, and what we have been through! He WANTS us to change our hearts, and to use our trials for GOOD!

God, I pray that you be with each and every one of us. I pray that you be with us in our hard times, because we can overcome anything as long as we put our trust in you. Let us not be afraid of what is to come because we KNOW that you are already there. Help all those who are struggling to trust that you will steady their hearts, and use those struggles for good! And with those of us who many not understand what others are going through, help us to open our hearts so that we can comfort them in these times. Come alive in us, Lord. You are a good good father.

Amen

"Good Good Father" Chris Tomlin

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories

Of what they think You're like

But I've heard the tender whisper

Of love in the dead of night

And You tell me that You're pleased

And that I'm never alone

You're a good good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching

For answers far and wide

But I know we're all searching

For answers only You provide

'Cause You know just what we need

Before we say a word

You're a good good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

You are perfect in all of Your ways

Oh, You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable

I, I can hardly speak

Peace so unexplainable

I, I can hardly think

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

Into love, love, love

You're a good good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You're a good good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You're a good good Father

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways