A Religious Dive

Hi there!

I am not sure if I have mentioned here that I am a Christian. If I have, then I have mentioned twice, if I haven’t, then there is my bold statement that Christianity is a massive part of my day to day life. I have always believed in a ‘God’ and when I was 11 years old, after being invited to church by a close family friend, I quickly grew to love God and Christianity and the morals and values of this ‘religion.’ It has bought me much hope and comfort over the years knowing that someone is watching over me, someone has a plan for me and that my life is worth something. No matter how often I go wrong (which I do a LOT of the time!)I know that I have someone who knows me, doesn’t judge me, and who is there gently nudging me along the right path. I am not forcing you to believe in god, nor am I shoving it down your throat as I am aware that sometimes it’s a subject that many who don’t believe don’t feel comfortable talking about as they are set in their views. Aren’t we all set in our views though? We all have our own right to have our own opinions and I respect that.

Anyway, moving on from that lengthy introduction; in wanting to improve myself through reading and what books can enlighten and teach me new and important values I chose;

‘Don’t Make History Change The Future’ – Matt Summerfield.

I chose this because I felt that a Christian book may be a nice change to the books I have been reading as of late and maybe it would introduce new perspectives as I may be about to embark on a new adventure with University. This book was given to me free of charge at a summer camp festival ‘Soul Survivor’ back in 2013. I visited that summer camp religiously for 5 years (pun intended!) Through my early teens I wrongly never made time for reading as there was always something more important to do or quite simply…I couldn’t be bothered! In doing so, this book became less and less of a priority to me as it sat on my bookshelf gathering dust. I am currently on a train on my way to my boyfriend’s house before we go away on holiday and in knowing that I would be going away in a few days I wanted a relatively short book that would enlighten me before I revert back to my beloved rom-com books to relax with and read on the beach.

Upon reading the title I thought it would be a book about my past and the people I’m from and how to make my own future and let the past build me rather than me following the footsteps of my parents. I was WRONG! I was so mistaken with this judgement! I guess I have just proven the theory that you should never judge a book by its cover! In contrast, this book followed the theme that every generation should help to build the next generation to make the world a better place; a more loving, giving, caring world where people build each other up to make and break new goals rather than beating someone down for setting the next new goal that you once conquered. It isn’t about holding the title for the shortest running time for the mile run; it’s about being an example to break the limits that people tell you are impossible to cross.

The world is full of so many possibilities and miracles and it’s in our hands to explore and see what awaits us, and to also bring others up inspired to explore further than we could ever reach. This book taught me to remain selfless, to always try to be positive in any given circumstance, to live life for a purpose and to dream big because by dreaming big you can achieve big. In a similar sense, it taught me not to criticise but to praise and let others inspire to do great things and let God lead the way. Not to alienate others to follow what I’m doing and love what I love, but to help them become who they want to become. It’s a process of accepting, loving and being who you are, and allowing and building others to accept, love and be who they were meant to be as well. I want to let Gods will be done. And by his grace, I look forward to meeting new stories and find out the paths he is putting extraordinary people on to do amazing things.

Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘’For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’’

God Bless J