In the Loop; In the Spirit

Here’s the voice of a young person writing about their Christian faith… We’ve asked others to share in their own words their faith.

Faith through connections

Anna Guth

Growing up in a world of cell phones, headphones, and locked doors has
transformed me, and many other teenagers, into very independent,
private, and sometimes selfish individuals. We say we’re “being more
connected” with all our high-tech gadgets and gizmos, but most teens
of the 21st century have lost whatever sense being connected actually
means.

So far in my life only one thing has helped me transcend my tiny
private bubble and truly live my life for someone other than myself:
my faith.
More than once in my life I have experienced an overwhelming presence
of the Holy Spirit. This “God-high” can occur at church camp, miles
away from civilization and the stress of every day high school life.
At camp, I find peace sitting around a campfire with my peers softly
singing, “you are my prince of peace, and I will live my life for
you…” and countless other songs of joy and praise.

The spirit showed its face yet again while busing across America to an
unknown location last summer. As a youth group we laughed, shared
stories and simply connected with the friends, old and new. As each
mile brought us closer and closer to our next destination, we found
ourselves more and more in tune with God and whatever crazy plan lay
ahead.

But the spirit doesn’t only appear in the times of laughter and joy.
It also arrives later on down the road in the gym of a church in
Tennessee, as we cry together, embracing one another, and embracing
the sorrows of life.

I truly believe the Holy Spirit moves within each and every person,
and even more so in the youth who aren’t afraid to let it in.

The spirit can move you through a song on the radio. It can move you
through the kind words of a fellow student or coworker. It can be
present in the first light of morning as you’re driving to school or
work. The signs of love and compassion are everywhere, one simply
needs to take a look around.

Years ago at Camp Onomia, my pastor said something to a peer of mine
that I think about every time I’m stressed out or going through
something hard. “Breathe out the bad stuff, and breathe in the Holy
Spirit,” she said. The thought that all one has to do is breathe, and
the Holy Spirit will fill them up with enough compassion or bravery to
carry on with life leaves me in total awe. The spirit will cram a
person so full of love there won’t be any room left for doubt or
anger, no space for jealousy or greed.

The fact that we have a God who’s love overcomes all mundane
insignificant worries of life makes living just that much more worth
it for me.

People say they’re more connected to one another now than they ever
were. They say there are greater advances to come, and smaller and
more efficient is just around the corner. But for me, the best has
already arrived. The ultimate source of joy and connection is right in
front of my nose, all I have to do is open my eyes.

Thanksgiving Worship
Wednesday, November 21st, 7PM at Ascension Lutheran Church
6719 Cedar Lake Rd
Saint Louis Park, MN

Thursday, November 22nd. 10AM at Westwood Lutheran Church
9001 Cedar Lake Rd,
Saint Louis Park, MN

This past week, we talked as a community about taking action. We are called to serve our neighbor. We are called to share about God’s love known in jesus Christ. yet, we constantly wrestle with who Jesus is. The band Brand New has a song called “Jesus Christ” that names the challenge of knowing a loving God in a world that seems very short of love. Christianity can get billed as a fix you, feel better faith, but in reality the God we know in Jesus Christ enters deeply into suffering. God walks alongside us in the pain; Jesus took action to assure us all. We are then free to take action to love, serve and not minimize the suffering of others. What a gift!