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Life after Steuby
July 19, 2004 - 10:29pm
Ok so it's been a week since we got back from Steubenville...and it's like, what do I do now? This year was so different from last year-- don't get me wrong, it was just as amazing and incredible and everything, but I don't have the high that I had after last year. When I came back last year, I was sooooo happy and excited and fired up for God and this year I'm trying to deal with not having that feeling. I think it's God saying, "Ok, now you've got to live for me the hard way-- when you don't have a retreat high as your fuel." Still, though, I'm a little confused. Anybody experiencing anything similar? Peace and love to everyone who was at Steuby! Get 'er done!
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July 20, 2004 - 9:53pm
#2
Thanks for the advice...I will definitely take it to heart. Wow, you're writing a book about this?! That's amazing! I would love to hear more about what you have to say...it would be great to pass on some insight to some friends that I know who are experiencing the same thing. We've done a lot of talking about this since we got back...about how not having the high is probably a good thing because then we have to rely more on God and truly trust Him...anyway, my email is 6fentrm@corjesu.org if you've got some more advice or explanations or whatever. Thanks and God bless!
July 21, 2004 - 9:49am
#3
No problem for the advice. I have been where you are at, and there is so much for us all to learn. I see that you are on the REAP Team's email list, which is totally kewl. I will definately keep you posted, though our email newsletter, as things with the book develop. (For anyone reading this who is not on our email list, just send a note to paul@reapteam.org with 'subscribe' in the subject line, and I will add you to our list). One thing is our most recent newsletter is a link to an article I wrote on spiritual accountability. I would urge you to read it and maybe even print it out and share it with your good friends, so that you can set up some accountability partners and be praying for each other. The article is at http://www.reapteam.org/newsletters/12-spiritual-accountability.html. I hope it helps.
One more thought. A good old friend of mine, who is now in heaven, shared with me that early in our walk with Christ it can be like a roller coaster, with many ups and downs for our emotions. What is cool though is that as we mature and grow in our faith we experience the peace of just walking with Jesus across a field. Fewer highs and lows, but it is great. I have experienced that transition in my life, and I am praying that you can hang in there and reach that place. However, there is no hurry. Enjoy where you are at...
July 21, 2004 - 10:20am
#4
One more thing, for now. This is one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, on Spiritual Excitement. It ties in to what I just wrote...
All our prayers are being answered, and I thank God for it. The only (possibly, not necessarily) unfavorable symptom is that you are just a trifle too excited. It is quite right that you should feel that "something terrific" has happened to you...
Accept these sensations with thankfulness as birthday cards from God, but remember that they are only greetings, not the real gift. I mean that it is not the sensations that are the real thing. The real thing is the gift of the Holy Spirit which can't usually be - perhaps not ever - experienced as a sensation or an emotion. The sensations are merely the response of the nervous system. Don't depend on them. Otherwise when they go and you are once more emotionally flat (as you certainly will be quite soon), you might think that the real thing had gone too. But it won't. It will be there when you can't feel it. May even be most operative when you can feel it least.
Don't imagine it is all "going to be an exciting adventure from now on". It won't. Excitement, of whatever sort, never lasts. This is the push to start you off on your first bicycle: you'll be left to lots of dogged pedalling later on. And no need to feel depressed about it either. It will be good for your spiritual leg muscles. So enjoy the push while it lasts, but enjoy it as a treat, not as something normal.
July 27, 2004 - 9:06pm
#5
Life after Steubenville has been definately different. Immediately following Steubie, I mean like next day immediately, I left for my diabetes camp (first year counselor, 11th year there). I quickly learned the value of daily prayer. Giving my day to God and asking him to grant me patience with my daily tasks helped emmensley. Since, I have made it a habit to pray daily and lift my day to Him and His will. When I returned from camp, I began research. In Steubie, I realized my true love for Christ and his ways. He called upon me to join the religious life. So research has begun for different communities and what they do for the lay community. I've always been excited about God, but never this much. I have finally opened up about my faith, even if my friends don't agree, or become uncomfortable that I talk about going to mass everyday and how it helps me. I was very excited when I made my first "revolutionary" step- tossing/reselling my CD that are against the teaches of the Lord, like my Christina Aguilera and Britney. Even my Nsync. It showed me that they are only possessions, nothing more.**You had some bad html here. Thank you God for Steubie!
May 21, 2011 - 7:02am
#6
Which project management college course do you think would replace the need for PMP certification training?
Dear Friend,
Your question is a great one, and a very important one - and I could talk forever about it. Bottom line, though, I would recommend a couple of things to keep the fire burning...
1) Prayer - spend regular consistent daily time with God
2) Community - join a youth group, or if you are already a member, keep going and do all you can to make/keep it a Spirit-filled group
3) Eucharist and Reconciliation. Consistent Mass attendance and Adoration will keep you rooted in Christ, and Reconciliation every month or two will keep you aware of your sin and your need for His mercy!
Also, keep in mind that although the emotional highs of a conference are a great thing, it is even more important that we continue to grow in faith, hope, and love...because when the emotional high is gone (and it will fade eventually), those things will remain - provided we stay close to Christ. Let me know if you want to talk more about this - I am actually even writing a book about this exact topic, though I am only in the early stages.