As our youth church passed our 2nd birthday recently, I have been given the privilege of speaking to a couple of gathered groups of people about what we are learning along the way. The incredibly positive reactions I received from both groups afterwards caused me to reflect on how I have ceased being astonished at our astonishing story of God’s favour and blessing. Instead, I was more astonished at their astonishment. At the start of this amazing adventure that is the story of our youth church, I used to be as astonished as they were, but somewhere along the way, I had surrendered my astonishment to familiarity.
This experience made me recommit afresh to staying astonished at what God has done in the past, what He continues to do in the present, and on into the future. I have committed to remain interested in what I am now familiar with. To stay present and curious and to reimagine those astonishing truths that got me up in the morning in the first place.
Please always remember to remain astonished at your own story. Your astonishment is why it mattered to you in the first place and why it continues to matter to us. We need you to stay astonished.
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Matthew 7:28-29 KJV
Mr Pountain
Head of Religious Education / Director of Spirituality