I am heavily inspired by heroic films and literature, so in my mind my education experiences have been viewed as my ‘battleground’.
I am far from being the hero because the only hero of this story is God, however when you know what you believe you must do everything you can to protect and preserve that belief by staying true to it and to yourself.
When I was in primary school I was known as the ‘goody-two-shoes-Christian-girl’. I always found it irritating that I had to have a label plastered upon my identity, but if I so desperately needed one to satisfy my classmates, it was an honour to be known as the ‘Christian girl’. It was my badge of honour.
Being quite the vocal young Christian (I am sure it got annoying sometimes), I would often get asked questions about my faith, or why I was always so ‘pure’ or ‘proper’ and ‘innocent’ all the time because I chose to follow the Bible and I tried my best to reflect how God tells us how we should act according to His Word. How sad it is that being ‘pure’ or ‘innocent’ minded is seen as a bad thing when the world ‘secretly’ seeks this very thing so badly, even if they don’t realise it.
Some of the most recurring questions I was asked were; ‘Why do you believe in God?’, ‘Can you see Him?’, ‘How do you know He is real?’, ‘Do you pray?’, ‘Does God actually talk to you?’ and the list goes on…
Why ask questions?
It always astounded me as to why I was being asked these questions. The genuine questioning, although spoken often quite harshly, was just the yearning curiosity of young children who want to know more. Everyone is begging for answers, people are searching for truth, and for that answer to the meaning of life and what is beyond it. We Christians have the advantage of already knowing what lies beyond.
Every time they asked me these questions it made me think of the verse in the Bible in Mark chapter 10 verses 13–16, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
It is so vital that children know about God, that they know His love for them. God’s love strengthens humanity and those who hide it from young children are doing a disservice to the community and to the world.
Reflection of God
Ephesians chapter five, verses one and two says, ‘Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’
It is vital that I reflect and uphold myself as a Christian because, not only do I always want to do good by God, but I want to present myself as someone who honours God in everything I do.
What I thought was a monopolised ideology, turned out to be one people mocked out of genuine curiosity. My parents always told me to be strong and always do what God would want me to do. As a kid, you never take the things your parents tell you lightly.
No matter how much evil seeps into our education system, we, as Christians, must be raised to be willing and able to stand above that and be a light for those who want to know more.
2 Corinthians chapter five verse 20 says ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.’
The fight for religious freedom, for religious freedom in schools, for the right for Christian teachers and educators to have a conscientious objection if the school inflicts something that does not resonate with the Bible appropriately, and the protection of children and their minds; getting rid of safe schools and all things like it – it is these things that Christians must stand up to and be vocal about, even if that means being called ‘innocent’ or being mocked by our peers.
Stay true to your beliefs
High school and even university, was much was the same, except I didn’t go around telling people I was a Christian, they just knew. If something came against what I believed in a dishonouring way, I would always have something to say about it.
My primary school experience with my faith was almost like a training ground of what I would experience as I got older. I was able to develop how to answer questions more thoughtfully and that worked in my favour. My peers knew I was a Christian and if they had questions, I made myself approachable to ask.
At the end of the day, those who question and mock my faith are just curious and want to know more but hide behind a rough exterior. It is important to identify this.
Ephesians chapter two verse 10 says, ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’
We have not been appointed as children of God to look down on ourselves as unvalued, unloved, unworthy, or disappointing. God wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us and how He created us—in His image.
Don’t be devalued
To all my connect girls at youth, and to every young person especially who reads this—It is okay to be innocent. It is okay to be a morally righteous person. It is okay to speak out on things you disagree with. It is okay to say the word “Christian”. It is okay to be a Christian. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
You are a strong mighty force and God has created you for a reason and a purpose. You are dearly loved, greatly appreciated, extremely valued, and are worth more than all the precious things this world has to offer. Do not devalue yourself by thinking otherwise.
Look to God and believe His words with all your heart.
Cartia Moore is a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She has recently graduated from her Bachelor of Arts degree and is now studying an Honours in Screen & Media Studies, in which she now runs her own film business. She is also a youth leader and has a passion for bringing young girls to God and helping them to seek and find their worth and value in Him.
Cartia Moore’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cartia-moore.html