Back to school: Finding confidence in who you are

At the start of a new academic year, Noelah Karigambe encourages us to let our light shine.

Starting a new school can be extremely scary. What if I don’t have the fanciest bag or shoes like the other boys and girls? What if I don’t make any friends? What if I struggle with the subjects? What if I don’t do well?

There are lots of what-ifs, what-ifs, what-ifs. We have to remember to go in with a calm and open mindset and relax in the fact that God has got us.

Being a Christian and starting university quite far from home has been a really big journey for me recently, going into the unknown and having to let God take the reins. As Christians, we all have to put our trust in God; he knows our future, he knows our plans. We are children of God, and with that comes clarity that God has always got us and has a plan in mind, whether that plan is something completely different from what we intended for ourselves.

As you start this new academic year, be who you are: be confident, brave and full of love. Through that, not only will the Holy Spirit shine in us unknowingly, but he will also shine through your energy and attract people towards you. Matthew 5:16: ‘Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven’ (English Standard Version).

Take time to find your style of learning; take time to find your style of obtaining information. Go over your lessons at home, even if it’s just for 5 to 10 minutes – spending a little time compared to no time is better than nothing! Hard work is exactly what it is … hard. But commitment and determination will provide truthful results in what you do.

Most of all, spend as much time as you can focusing on the word of God and thanking him for the opportunity to even have an education and that you are given an opportunity to learn – sadly, not many children have this. Grasp that opportunity while you can. Enjoy meeting new people. Enjoy learning about the different things you do in history and English and maths.

It’s OK to struggle and not get everything perfectly right. As long as you try your hardest and are as committed as possible to your studies, the people around you and, most importantly, God, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Reflect and respond

• Take time to thank God this week for the strength and opportunities he gives you, and for the knowledge that he’s got you even in new and difficult situations.
• Read Matthew 5:16. How can you let your confidence in God shine this week in how you think, talk and act?
• Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in showing God’s love to others and towards yourself when you don’t get things right.