Special High School ChapeL:
Seniors share their Faith
By Samantha DePriest
Student led worship team (Image by Oscar Camejo)
(Image by Oscar Camejo)
Last summer a beautiful song of hope and encouragement was released by Big Daddy Weave and Katy Nichole titled “God Is In This Story”. It is a reminder that God is with us in all seasons of our lives and working for our good. While leaning in during a special high school chapel this week, the lyrics of the chorus of the song came to mind.
God is in this story
God is in the details
Even in the broken parts
He holds my heart, He never fails
When I'm at my weakest
I will trust in Jesus
Always in the highs and lows
The One who goes before me
God is in this story
This past Thursday morning Dr. Anthony preached about Elijah in a message called “Runaway” from 1 Kings 19:1-15. He challenged our students to reflect about, “Who are you listening to today? Are you listening to the roar of the enemy or the whisper of God? Will you walk by Faith, not by sight?” He went on to encourage our students, “I want you to be clear about whose you are in the Lord and remember that God’s spirit dwells in each one of us.” He encouraged them to walk in humility and be a witness of the gentleness of God. He taught about how Elijah was sustained for 40 days and 40 nights with meals and rest from God. His message was one of hope and encouragement for the future. There will be storms in our lives, but God is with us in the good times and bad and “He longs to whisper to those who are listening.”
Dr. Anthony preaching (Image by Oscar Camejo)
Dr. Anthony invited four seniors to share how they see God working in their lives and His faithfulness to them. Anderson University bound senior Michelina Ryan shared how she recently was baptized at church and was excited to be bold in her Faith. She shared, “My Junior year was a difficult year. I wasn’t listening to the voice of God. There were voices telling me that I’m not good enough. Other things were becoming idols in my life. I needed a Savior and to be reminded to not put other things before Him. My advice to my fellow students would be to find people who point you to the Lord and who always hold you accountable.”
Hasten Patel, with plans of attending Kennesaw University in the Fall, shared how he was raised in the church but this past year he felt God pulling him in closer. He shared that having people hold you accountable and walk with you in Faith makes a big difference. He encouraged his peers to “Seek God always and seek friendships with other followers. God is always with you. Develop good habits, praying, reading your Bible, absorbing the word, and stay strong in your Faith.”
Dr. Anthony with Seniors - (l to r) Michelina Ryan, Addison Bell, Hasten Patel, and Shawn Braxton. (Image by Oscar Camejo)
Dr. Anthony shared that being a Christian doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a perfect life and that during our lives things happen that aren’t always wonderful. Shawn Braxton shared about the setback he is experiencing currently with his acceptance to play football and attend Air Force Academy this Fall. “Everyone is excited about going to college to do all the things they have been looking forward to. But I am not sure I am going to be able to do what I first thought. I have had to really lean into what it says in 1 Corinthians 16 that we may roll the dice but the Lord determines how they fall. I’m not sure what my future holds now but I just really have to trust whether it’s football or just school, whatever He has planned for me, I just really have to trust what He has planned for me.“ He went on to say, “I know that if it is supposed to happen, it will.” What a strong Faith foundation Shawn has that even in the midst of adversity, he shares his trust in God’s plan with more than 500 of his classmates.
University of Alabama bound senior Addison Bell shared encouragement that when we are not feeling good enough, we need to remember some key things, “Being a follower of Christ is bigger than just reading your Bible, praying, and going to Sunday school. It is about repentance. When I do fall short, I can come back and say "God I am sorry and want to be in your grace’. We are reminded that He is before all things and there is nothing you can do to separate yourself from God. All things are held together by Him. Find your community.”
Rosetta McDowell and Dr. Anthony (Image by Oscar Camejo)
Trinity Mom of two sons, Ethan and Trevor, and Lower School Teachers Aide Ms. Rosetta McDowell shared her story of how God’s peace got her through a very difficult time in their lives. When her sons were just 7 and 5 years old, her husband’s life was taken after a shooting at the church where he was in full time ministry leading Wednesday morning prayer. “Those first few hours, I recall sitting, after I finally got back home, I recall sitting at my kitchen table and I had to say to the Lord ‘You know what, I’m not leaving you. Where else should I go? In that moment, I had to let the enemy know, ‘I belong to God, He belongs to me. And I will not leave Him and He said he will never leave me or forsake me. And that’s where my power came from. Making that decision in the midst of a challenging moment and deciding to choose Jesus.”
In closing she shared tremendous encouragement with our student body.
“If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
The true lion is inside of you.
You have the roar.
You have the Word of God.
Make it the most important thing in your life.
That is your tool.
That is your weapon.
You win.
God is called each of one of you to be triumphant.
You are an overcomer.
You are more than a conqueror.“
If you find yourself with some margin this week, this chapel service will be a blessing. May it serve as an encouragement to hear our students share how God is working in their lives.