Teen Reflection ~ Caitlin
Roller Coaster (Caitlin Cavannaugh)
To be perfectly honest, last December, as we were putting together last year’s 4U—and I was writing on hundreds of rocks with permanent marker, learning music, and organizing—I looked up at my mom and said, “I know what we’re doing is really good, and I am really proud of it, but I don’t think I can do this next year.” I didn’t realize how much work it would be. I was stressed, tired, and really overwhelmed by the whole thing. It was such a big venture, and I didn’t realize just how big it would be.
Then came the day of the 4U concert. It was about halfway through the concert, and I was in the middle of singing my solo. I looked up at those windows, and I just started crying. It was like time had been moving so fast and I was so busy organizing the concert that I’d forgotten to really soak it all in and really realize the good we were doing. And when I looked up at those windows, I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. It was like God stuck out his hand, knocked me on my back, and opened my eyes. It was like time slowed down. It was a happiness greater than I had felt in SO long.
So here I am again. And maybe I’m crazy for doing this concert again, but in my opinion—even if it makes me crazy—it’s worth it.
Because that’s what faith is like. When you follow God, there will be times of rigorous trials and times of absolute elation. But in order to get the higher highs, you have to face the lower lows. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take those trials if I can experience deep happiness. I’d rather face the ups and downs than live in satisfied ignorance of what life could be.
It’s hard being a good person in this world. I’m not always a good person—just like everyone else here, I make mistakes. And I try really hard to listen to what God wants me to do and follow it. But sometimes, I stray off the path; sometimes, the right thing to do sounds like too much and I get scared and plug my ears. But I try really hard to listen to Him and be a good person. And when I do follow His path for me, I sometimes have to make difficult choices and sacrifices; sometimes, people might judge me; and sometimes, it makes life a little tougher than if I just did what everyone else does. No matter what stage of life you’re in, I’m sure many of you have faced times when it would be easier if you didn’t do what was “right.” But even if sometimes it is difficult to follow what is right, the outcome—the benefits—are totally worth it. Because God knows it’s hard to follow Him, so he makes sure the benefits make up for the hard times.
It’s definitely a choice because when you follow God, life is a crazy rollercoaster. But I thank God for the easy and hard days I’m living. I’d rather take the ups and downs of being a good person and following God than just go through life being content. I would miss it if I never knew that indescribable, incredible happiness that only God can show you—the kind that makes time slow and makes me cry.
