LIGHT FOR THE PATH

Light

for the path BETH COATES | Beyond Experience Administrator

Averse that God has continued to bring me back to recently is Psalm 84:5, which reads in the NIV, ‘Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.’ The person who finds strength in God is the same person that has their heart set on pilgrimage. I have been asking God to show me where my heart has not been set on the pilgrimage that He has designed for my life. Sometimes there are areas of our walk with God that are much easier to accept than others. If my heart is not fully surrendered on the journey, I cannot accept God’s strength. The only alternative that this creates is to do things in my own strength. We are visitors to this life and so we cannot rely on the self or the world for strength. Our true strength and treasure are in Heaven. I love this verse because it speaks to a love for the house of God, which displays the heart of the pilgrim. Together, as pilgrims, we meet and draw on God’s strength. To have a love and a longing for God’s house prepares a foundation for our life in this world. At times, for different reasons, I have found it hard to truly love my church. It will always be flawed—having been built by human hands—but it is also a place that God chooses to dwell. The local church is His, and as such it is the hope of the world. Until we can be with God in Heaven, we can choose to find the sweetness that comes from our reliance upon His strength. As I go on this pilgrimage I pray ‘He rama tāu kupu ki ōku waewae, he marama ki toku ara (Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path);’ that God would continue to illuminate my path and show me the next step that I need to take.

IF MY HEART IS NOT FULLY SURRENDERED ON THE JOURNEY, I CANNOT ACCEPT GOD’S STRENGTH.

Meet BETH

Beth, our writer for ‘Light for the Path’, is the Beyond Experience Administrator. We asked her to introduce herself to you. Here’s what she had to say: Kia Ora e te whānau! My name is Beth Coates, and I am a part-time neuropharmacology postgraduate student in Ōtepoti Dunedin, and the newest staff member of SUNZ. I have recently stepped into the position of Administrator for our leadership development programme, Beyond Experience. I am originally from Tāmaki Makaurau and I try and go back as much as I can to see my favourite people—my family. My personal journey with SUNZ began when I first attended a SUPAKidz camp when I was nine, and I subsequently attended Mangawhai Marine, Pōnui Junior and Pōnui Senior. I now get to go back to Pōnui Junior as a leader, which is a privilege. It’s also special to continue my family’s involvement with SUNZ. My Dad used to lead on cycle camps when he was in his 20's. I am passionate about the work that SUNZ does, especially in reaching youth with biblical truth, and I hope to make a positive impact in my new role. God has given me a passion for neuroscience, and I have a keen interest in drug development to treat neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer. I hope to complete further postgraduate study and ultimately work as a neuropharmacology researcher.