LIGHT FOR THE PATH

Light

for the path ANNIE ASHTON | SUPAkidz Camp Leader

Something that God has been reminding me recently is to remember what He has done. The importance of doing this is highlighted within Mark 8:1-21. The start of this chapter describes the scene of Jesus feeding a crowd of 4000 people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. This is a classic Sunday School sermon which I heard several times growing up. I thought it was amazing – especially the fact that there were seven leftover baskets of food. However, what I didn’t know is that immediately after this event the disciples began to doubt Jesus again. When they got onto a boat with Jesus, the disciples began to argue because they did not bring enough bread. Jesus says to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?” Jesus then reminds them of the times he has provided for his people. I think it’s easy for us to judge the disciples in this story – how could they not have faith after the miracles they had witnessed? However, when I reflect on my life, I realize that I often act like the disciples did. Since I left high school, I have been faced with the pressure of choosing what to study and what jobs to apply for. This process can be very overwhelming, and I often found myself worrying. When I have remembered to give my concerns to God, He has reminded me that He is in control and will provide for me. He reminds me to remember what He has done and what He is capable of doing. There are two key things I take away from Mark 8. The first is that Jesus performed a miracle because He cared for His people. Remembering that God knows our needs before we ask and that He cares for us is so important. The second is that Jesus gave the people more than they needed; the people had leftovers! God doesn’t bless us to the point where we can just ‘scrape by.’ He gives us more than enough. I encourage you to take a moment to remember what God has done in your life. Try to remember a time He gave you more than you expected.

Meet ANNIE

Kia ora tatau. Ko Rimutaka te maunga. Ko Te Awa Kairangi te awa. Nō Awakairangi ahau. Ko Ashton tōku whānau. Ko Annie tōku ingoa.

We asked Annie, this month’s writer for Light for the Path, to introduce herself to you. Here’s what she had to say:

My name is Annie, I am 20 years old, and I have just completed my degree in Education and Development Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. I am now working in policy at the Ministry of Education. In my spare time I enjoy going for bike rides with my dad, cooking plant-based foods, and hanging out with my adorable dog Alfie. I grew up in Lower Hutt and was raised by a Christian family. I have been immersed in Christianity my whole life; my parents enrolled me in a Christian primary school and have always encouraged me to attend church. Although at times I have doubted God and I still have many questions about Him, I couldn’t imagine my life without my faith. I started leading on the Wellington SUPAkidz camp in 2018 after a friend asked if I could help out. I really enjoyed doing this and have continued leading each year since. I always come away feeling very tired but very inspired. Although I never attended a Scripture Union camp growing up, I attended church camps and Easter camps, and I benefited from these greatly. Camps are so special, and I love seeing how God uses them. I’m currently participating in the Beyond Experience programme, and I’m super lucky to have Hilary as my mentor. I attend the night service at the Street Church in Wellington. I started going to this church about a year ago and absolutely love it. It is filled with university students and young adults – it’s a great community to be a part of.