General

But if not…

Have you ever wanted something to go right so badly in life, but it takes a turn for the worse and you’re left devastated?

Right now is the perfect example of a devastating time in life: COVID-19. Many people had plans for the school year, going on trips, seeing family, and just socializing. Unfortunately, those plans were canceled because of shelter in place. I know for me it was really devastating because it was my senior year of high school. It was supposed to be one of the best years of my life. I was looking forward to hanging out with friends, going to prom, having a graduation party, and walking the stage with all of my family in the audience. It was a huge disappointment when I realized that the day before we left for spring break was the last normal day of school, and yes I bawled my eyes out.

However, there are examples in the Bible of people who have gone through worse. In the book of Job, Job had everything taken from him: his family, his herds, his land, and his health. He got to a point where he would rather die than continue to live. BUT along the way HE NEVER LOST FAITH in God, he continued to believe that God is more powerful than anything he could go through. This is a perfect example of how we should act when life abandons us.

If during our hard times everything is stripped away from us and our plans are ruined, we must trust, have faith, and praise God for the things he has given us, even if it doesn’t get better. God knows the plans he has for you; you may not understand them right now but just wait.

How will you choose to respond to things not going as planned? I challenge you to make a list of all the difficult circumstances you’ve gone through and think about how you handled them. Did you let them destroy you?

If something brought you down, how did you get back up? Remember God will provide to those who remain in their faith, Proverbs 3:3-4, James 1:12.

-Hope

At Palombi Middle School, we meet for S3 meetings every Monday. We get together and learn about God’s good news for all of us! I have been a leader for multiple years now, and leading my friends and peers in the Word is one of my favorite things to do. “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” Psalm ‭119:130.‬

By telling others about God, we are helping people understand all that God has done for us! I think it’s amazing to have the opportunity to connect with my classmates through the love of Christ, on our school campus. Leading has taught me both patience and self-control, two of the fruits of the Spirit. Telling people about the love of God is now something I feel very comfortable doing.

I challenge you to start a conversation about Christ with someone you know today. You’ll never know what will happen until you try!

Blessings,

Emily, S3 student at Palombi Middle School

A Look at Love

Hi! My name is Katherine, and I am a junior at Grapevine High School. I’ve been a part of S3 since 8th grade, and the organization means so much to me!

In the midst of troubling times or prosperous times, when we are surrounded by others, or when we are alone, people are always seeking to find love. It’s natural to seek love and validation, anything that makes us feel happy to be alive, and feeling like we mean something. Unfortunately though, in today’s modern society, oftentimes, “love” isn’t all it’s chalked up to be. Instead of finding value in ourselves, we settle for less than what we deserve from other people and complain that we can’t find true love. We forget what love truly looks like.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, and it does not boast; it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, and it’s not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

If we truly understand this definition of love, we can better accept ourselves, love others, and strengthen our relationship with God. Replace the word “love” with “God” in every instance in the scripture. It’s still true. God is and does all of those things. He is the epitome of love, and we should find comfort in HIM. He is the one true example of perfect love, and before we can even hope to find love elsewhere, we must first find it in Him.

We should strive to model our relationships on Earth based on what love is. Both in loving ourselves and our neighbors we can all take a page out of the book of our Lord. Don’t buy into the notion many seem to have today that love doesn’t exist, or isn’t worth it. Rather show the world what real love looks like, and allow yourself to feel it from the Lord. The love and relationships we find ourselves in on Earth cannot compare to the unconditional love God gives us, and in those times that we seek love we should turn to Him.

I have found myself seeking Earthly love, and in turn ignored or weakened my relationship with God. I challenge myself, and those reading this, to accept the amazing love we receive from God, and use it to model our life around.

-Katherine, Grapevine High School S3 Student

Do Not Fear, For I Am With You

My journey with S3 didn’t start as a typical club experience. The story behind why and how I started S3 is truly an act of God working in my life, and it still amazes me when I think about it today. In 8th grade, I sadly had to experience the suicide of an acquaintance, and less than a year later one of my fellow classmates passed away.

Fast forward to freshman year, the first day of school, during the 8th-period I was assigned to sit next to a girl I had known since elementary school. I made sure to converse with her since I knew she was a bit shy. The next morning, in my 2nd-period class, my friend had told me that someone had passed away last night, and when I asked who, I was instantly filled with grief. It was the girl from my 8th-period class. I had experienced so much death in the past few years.

That night, I talked to my parents about wanting to do something for students who felt they were alone. I expressed a desire to create a club where all were welcome. Somewhere we could talk about how God works in our daily lives in school and through the trials. Somewhere students could feel that they are not alone.

The next weekend, my stepmom flew out of town, and on her plane ride back she met Terry Ann (the president and founder of Students Standing Strong). Terry Ann told her all about S3 and the amazing things they do. Immediately, my mom knew that this might be the club I wanted to start and it turns out this is exactly where God was leading me. We met with my school and began S3 club in the second semester of my freshman year.

I was very nervous but in Isaiah 41:10, God says to Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand.”

This scripture gave me the strength to not be afraid of the journey God had ahead of me. Since starting S3 at Byron, we have had more than 50 people attend S3. It has been a true blessing from the Lord to meet so many people and change so many lives through a wondrous student-led club.

-Jen, S3 Byron Nelson High School student

My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I constantly have to remind myself of this scripture. I remind myself; everything that is happening is happening because of God’s will, not my own. We need to trust Him during this time of panic and fear and remember He turns everything for His good and He has a plan. There is a purpose. We have to pray and tell him about our fears and worries. During these next weeks of uncertainty remind yourself to use this time to glorify and learn about our Lord. Don’t waste this time He has allowed.

Yes, it is a scary thing to think about a pandemic. BUT if you keep your heart, soul, and mind SUBMITTED to God, He will show you your path. Trust Him, there IS a purpose. God is looking out for you; see HIM, show HIM, listen to HIM.

Know God is in control; be aware of the ways of the world but know God’s purpose behind it. Pour out your heart to God and He will show you your path.

-Laci, Colleyville Heritage High School Student