So, you're in high school...

Last year, I graduated from all I had ever known in my life - school. That's not to say I have no intentions on completing university as well, but I left the formal education: the uniforms, the stricter schedules, the "less freedom". I reached, I guess, adulthood. But it hardly felt like it. In fact, as I am not yet in Uni, it feels kinda weird to think of myself as graduated, with a lack of a fully structured routine.

But chances are, if you are reading this, you are in high school and you are trying to figure out life. You are trying to live your life as Gen Z. You are trying to balance your social life with academics, with athletics. And chances are, if you are a Christian, you are trying to balance your faith and church activities - trying to keep them central in your life.

And in the words of one of my favourite shows "The Middle" - "It's tough being a teen". And, still in my teen years, I totally relate to this.

It's a frustrating phase too, because you want so much to grow, but you want so much to not be a teen anymore. Almost like that show "Suddenly 30", you want to transform into a mature adult. But like we learn from that movie, it's kinda necessary to go through your teen years so you can mature.

My Experience

Let me share a little of my experience in High School. I went to a private, closed-enrollment Christian school from Kindy to Year 12. It was my life. I look back upon my schooling with great regard because of the strong biblical teaching we were blessed with. But let me tell you a little about each grade.

In Grade 7, I was at the peak of awkwardness. Sometimes they say there is no where to go but downhill - which would be a positive decline for awkwardness, hey? Except that awkward phase may have remained at a peak until the end of Grade 9 (most of the time, I think I'm still in it). Year 8 was the peak of High School, for sure, because I had one of my favourite teachers who made it the best year ever. And it was the year my passion for drama really flourished. Grade 9 was a stressful year, as many describe it, not only because the work did get slightly trickier, but I also had some family stuff go on which meant I didn't want to go to school many of the days.

Though I can look back and can see God's work in me in all those years, what really strikes me was Year Ten. And believe it or not, English Class really changed me. I was pushed to think more about the texts I was reading. Most of you out there know about my dislike for postmodernism, and yet it was because of our over analysis that I felt very pushed to think deeply...about everything. I tend to overthink, but sometimes, that is not a bad thing. And in year ten, I look back with thankfulness, because God really pushed me to grow. And whilst I was always stressed, I was yearning for time to spend with God, to learn more about him. I was never perfect at this, but that desire was there. I went on an amazing trip with my parents that year around Europe for the 500th year of the reformation and my faith was even more strengthened.

Then came Grade 11 and 12. These are the most stressful years for academic people in Australia. For many, they are emotional. Grade 11 was hard for me, not just academically, but spiritually. I was meant to go on a mission trip to Indonesia, but out of some concern, my parents pulled me out. Planning to go to the States for my eldest brother's graduation, they left me at home with my other brother, who had to work most of the time, concerned with future wedding stuff. Many a day I felt alone, and because I was unable to go to Indonesia I questioned why God had left me alone at home doing very little, whilst the Lord's work was being done in a different country. It was quite difficult, especially as other friends were away that very holiday. I still do not fully get the Lord's plan in all of that.

Grade 12 was the definite kicker...for my whole class. The end of the year, with Semester 2 exams, was the worst as they would determine whether I would graduate. And after many weeks, months, years, of constant over-achieving, I couldn't see beyond the finish line. I could only look upon my own struggle. There were a couple of weeks I remember being so stressed I was not hungry, eating barely anything, active only due to the constant pressure I felt to study.

But the year could not be complete without it fair sense of struggle for our whole class: the suicide of a close friend of mine, and former classmate to all of us. And it tore us, it wrecked us, and we did not understand how the God of this universe could allow her passing. I know I felt betrayed by her, though I felt rotten to say that. Worst of all, it happened the night of our Year 12 ball, though we only found out the day after.

There were definite moments in my life where I hated school with a passion. But all my experiences I would not change, because they totally molded me into the person I am today.

But how about you?

You might be in high school right now...and it feels super stressful, because COVID-19 is putting a damper on your year. And I cannot feel worse for the Seniors in High School who cannot do their "lasts" with the people whom they have shared experiences with. I know my old High School is having to cancel their ball due to the virus. And Grade 12's everywhere want to be able to have these experiences with their friends, but everything seems to be cancelled now. I want you...no, I need you guys to understand some things. And it's gonna sound annoying from me, because I did not have something this stressful, but please hear me out.

1. School will not last on the other side of the grave. I just recently heard a sermon that used this expression and it really floats my boat. EVERYTHING you have now WILL PASS AWAY. I believe that our experiences are necessities for growth in faith and in sanctification by the spirit. But everything else just floats away. It...just..goes. And already, I notice that any awards I received in high school are but a distant memory, and it was literally only FOUR MONTHS AGO.

2.God is sovereign in any and all circumstances. You KNOW this...but I need you to ACCEPT this. There were too many times in High School where I could not accept God's control. And I repent, because nothing was in my hands, ever. That good grade, that bad grade. Your popularity, your sense of fashion, you social interaction, your athletic ability, your intelligence. Everything was put into God's hands.

3. How you are feeling right now does not change the facts. My parents couldn't stress this enough on me in High School, and it still sticks with me. I was recently talking to a friend who was feeling quite down about the whole situation. She says she oscillates from peace in knowing her hope in Christ, and mourning for this world and for her situation during COVID-19. And I told her something which I hope she found helpful - "My feelings do not change the facts. It does not change the fact that Christ died for me and I have a hope". Don't let how your feeling distract you from the Christian fact: that a loving sovereign God had it in his plan to save all those he predestined through the blood of Jesus Christ. The fact is, everyone is in a pickle because of the COVID-19 situation. Many people will be in worse situations than you. How you feel - stressed, anxious, sad - will not change this fact. And I sound super cruel, but I say such with the deepest regret. But I have the strongest hope because of Jesus, and I am placing my dependence on him.

If it helps to know, here are some facts for me, in light of the recent situation:

- There is a 90% chance I will not get to go and do mission in Belgium due to travel bans out of Perth, and from people flying from Europe into the USA

- There is a chance I will not make it to University for the first few weeks due the situation with flights here in Perth.

- I am losing some work because of the situation

- I might be in Australia for longer than I had hoped.

- I might have to spend my 18th birthday in isolation

However, these facts may or may not change. God's plans are beyond my knowledge or understanding. Some possible facts for those in High School:

- You may not attend your prom/ball/dinner dance/river cruise

- You may not attend school for quite a while/complete much schooling online at home

- You may not see your friends as often as you want

- You may have to quit those extracurricular activities that kept you relaxed

- You may not have a graduation ceremony (though I predict this will not be a problem)

And you are feeling down. No, depressed. And I get that. And my prayers are with you guys. Tears are literally filling my eyes, I cannot imagine your situation. And for Grade 12's my heart goes out to you in this stressful time. But can you see what I mean about the facts? They remain in spite of your feelings.

What about when I'm not in that situation anymore?

When you guys do get back to doing high school without the fear of COVID-19, I want you guys to have some practical tips that just aren't virus related. So here are some of them:

1. Wash your hands

...Just kidding!

2. Keep extracurriculars in your schedule...but not too many. This is important for later years. Don't hold every activity near and dear to your heart. I know in Grade Nine I had to come to a choice. I was doing Basketball, Girls Brigade, Cadets and Youth Group and it felt like too much, especially with the amount I was studying. Find a couple of things you really enjoy and stick at them.

3. Plan out study times - I think this one is self explanatory. Don't leave study as a night-before activity. No one gets good sleep and no one retains much. Some people are crammers...and if they do a good job, no one likes them :)

4. Learn to be yourself. Don't care too much what people think of you and take most things with a pinch of salt. And a fact: No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are. The likelihood is, they are thinking about themselves more.

5. As a Christian, find ways to serve others. I'm not kidding. Learn about how you can be of service to those around you. I encourage you to serve in the church you regularly attend. But maybe even find some ways to serve at school or anywhere else. Try, as much as possible, to focus less on yourself and more on others. Many say self-care is the route to proper mental health. This is true to an extent, but self-care can literally be taking our minds off ourselves and placing them on others. Love your neighbour as you love yourself.

6. You are in a bubble, and the way to get out of that bubble is to get some perspective. I went on a mission trip after high school, and it was a good dose of perspective after final exams. But I guess I really wish I had that perspective in the midst of exams. No, going to see your brother play in his band on a weeknight once a year is not gonna mean you'll fail that test. No, performing at a school arts showcase and watching other performances after with only two hours study that night is not gonna kill you. Seriously, we academics need to lighten up.

7. Don't be afraid to cry...but take note why you are crying. I cried in the arms of my Year 11 and 12 advisor a couple of times. My teachers knew my struggle and sometimes I would cry in class, when appropriate. I would cry in the arms of my parents. I cried in the library. I was a depressed individual. But you need to know why you are crying and if there is some way to stop. Seriously, crying is such a good stress reliever, but if you are doing it constantly like I was, you need to take note. Maybe even take steps to stop the cause of the tears. I could have relaxed more, for sure.

8. You are not as cool...or uncool as you think. Seriously, people need to stop judging others in high school and get on with their lives. I look back and don't really care that I was a little weird. Because I was who I was. And that's fine.

9. You are blessed with an education, even when it doesn't feel like a blessing. I wish I could have KNOWN this more in my final years where I simply hated school. I was only motivated by what my teachers thought of me and the expectation I had for myself. Rather than thank God for my education, I would work with little joy. Which reminds me...

10. Thank God in all the joys. Seriously, got a good grade? Praise God. Teacher gave you a compliment? Praise God. Having a good time with friends? Praise God. Thanking him reminds you he is sovereign and can help you place him as centre of your life. It reminds you always that our purpose is to "glorify God and enjoy him forever".

In conclusion...

This has been such a long post, but I feel like I have been able to tell you everything I want you to know. In reality, High School is just one facet of your life, that can be affected by situations such as COVID-19. But God is sovereign and when everything does pass, he wants you to understand he is in control. In fact, you kinda need to know that now.

Hard things are gonna happen, especially when you reach adulthood. Hard things have already happened for me since I have graduated. Life certainly doesn't become easier. Listen to God, from his word. Form a relationship, and do everything you can to ensure your life is lived in honour of him. Glorify him forever. God bless!