I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and that God uses His children in ways that seem unimaginable in order to share the Gospel and bring glory to Him. I have been a part of many different organizations and have helped volunteer with many different things at my church, school, and in the community. But, I have never felt so personally involved with anything until I became a part of the organization Project 5:11. This organization was created by a girl at another school after a friend in my Sunday school class took his life a year and a half ago. Project 5:11 seeks to spread encouragement to others to let them know that they matter, are loved, and have a purpose in life. The name comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 about encouraging others. Shortly after hearing about the organization I felt God lay it on my heart to bring it to my school. At first I tried doing other things to distract myself from this calling but I then realized I couldn’t ignore it. A few months later, a few friends and I came together and brought Project 5:11 to Hoover High School by making and passing out thousands of Valentine’s cards. Since then, we have written encouraging notes to students, faculty and staff at school, and kids in the foster care system. We have also posted encouraging messages on social media and have done several other things to encourage those at our school and in our community.
If someone had told me a few years ago that I was going to lead a new organization at school and in my community I would have thought that would be cool but I don’t think I would have believed them. Although the reason that Project 5:11 was created is heartbreaking, it is fascinating to see how God uses terrible situations to spread His light and bring people to Him. Even though I do not know how our encouragement has directly impacted anyone, I do believe that God is using it in mighty ways to either simply brighten someone’s day or to help them realize their need for Him. Through my involvement in Project 5:11 I have learned that God uses every single believer in ways they could not imagine and that He is right there beside me every step of the way.

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At Briarwood, we bear the title “Christian” in the name of our school. Since we are a Christian school, we are held to a higher standard at all times. I view this standard of being a Christ follower as an opportunity and not a burden. Even though I cannot be perfect, I can strive to be my very best and demonstrate the love of Christ to those at school and those at other schools. Athletics has been my primary outlet to have an impact on others through my faith both on and off the field.

I have participated in school athletics since my junior high years at Briarwood. During my senior year, I was selected by my coach as the captain of the basketball team. As captain, I felt a huge obligation to represent Christ both on and off the court. Although most may not view the captain as a very important role, I wanted this role to be an opportunity to show Christ to my teammates and other teams by my sportsmanship. During practice and games, I tried to set an example by being one of the hardest workers on the court and giving 100% effort. In Colossians 3:23, we are commanded to work hardily as unto the Lord and not unto man, because we know it is the Lord Christ we are serving. During the games, I tried to represent Christ in multiple ways. Many times during games and practice, the situations get intense and the emotions run high. I believe small things can impact others during these situations. I did my best to guard my mouth from evil and encourage others instead. I made it a point to always be the first one there to help a teammate or an opponent up from the ground after a fall. These small acts of kindness during these situations help dispel the tension and demonstrate the love of Christ. Setting a Christ-like example by these small acts can cause others to wonder why someone would care enough to pick them up with a kind word or with a hand to get up off the court. Our ultimate example of selflessness and love for others was Christ demonstrating His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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My faith in God throughout my high school career has been the most important structure and stronghold in my life. Whether I was in the classroom or on the softball field, He was always there keeping my mind right and my trust in Him strong. I participate in a program for elementary kids called the Big Brother Big Sister Organization. I have an assigned elementary student in fourth grade named Nolan. Every week I pull him out of his class and spend quality time with him. Although I have been blessed to have a loving home life, he has not. He did not grow up in church and did not know the Lord as I have come to know him. One week, right before Christmas, we were talking about all of our exciting plans for the holiday break. I told him one of my family’s traditions was reading the story of the birth of Jesus from the Bible right before going to sleep on Christmas Eve. He then asked who Jesus was and for me to tell him the story. My heart sank because I had no idea that he had never went to church, heard about the grace of God, and most importantly, did not have a relationship with the Lord. I told him many stories that day. I told him about the birth of Jesus Christ, the Crucifixion, David and Goliath, John the Baptist, the 10 lepers, and the love that God had for him. Nolan, being in fourth grade, sat in awe. He took it all in and listened to every word I said. Since then, we do a bible study every week and he learns a little more about God’s grace and love. I am beyond thankful to be in the Big Brother Big Sister Program and that I got to witness to someone who is very dear to me. My faith in Christ gave me the strength to tell Nolan about God’s word to him that day. I will forever be grateful for the relationship I have with the Lord and the strength that He has given me. My witness to Nolan has not only impacted my high school career, but my life as a Christian. My Christian faith has impacted me in so many ways in high school, but this is one time that will forever be close to my heart.

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My freshman year, I was struggling severely with my mental health. I lost sight of God and how much he cared for me. I was not sure if I was worthy of His love for a long time. After some time however, I began to notice the little things that God had created and wondered, if God can create and love every single thing on this Earth, that must mean he loves me too! After that, with the help of God, I began to dig myself out of the hole I had buried myself in. When I rediscovered God, my life changed for the better. I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders and I felt at peace with myself. I realized that I am most definitely fearfully and wonderfully made in the eyes of God and I was seeing all the beautiful things about myself. Finding God again made me view the people in my high school differently as well. Suddenly, they were not who everyone perceived them to be. They had a past and a struggle that I knew nothing about. God helped me to understand that everyone else is fearfully and wonderfully made too! He increased my compassion for those in my high school. High school is difficult for everyone in many ways. God not only helped me see other people’s hurt but He helped me ease my hurt. High school isn’t the best time in life, but God helped me to figure out who I want to be.

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