Conference Reflections

We spent the past week with some of our high school youth group at Christ in Youth conference. One of the most influential members of the group has been in heaven for almost 2½ years now. Sonya died in a car accident, but her life and death have and continue to speak volumes for her Savior. It is remarkable to me that her voice is almost louder to us now than it was 2½ years ago. The second day of conference focused on “injury” and the lesson that morning included a writing by a high school student who had also lost a friend in a wreck. It really resonated with all of us. It was good to share our injury with God and one another (along with other injuries) and know we were not alone. That was the theme of the whole week: ONES, because we were never meant to be alone.

Later in the week, we were totally enjoying an exuberant worship time, and I thought to myself, “Sonya would’ve really loved this.” Then I immediately thought, “Dummy, Sonya is probably enjoying worship ten times, no, a thousand times more wonderful than this right now! With our Jesus!” And I had to smile. This is just a great practice session…there is something so amazing about being in a big group all gathered to praise God, to search His Word together, to learn and grow and seek His will for our future. Together. Not alone.