Annabella reflects on a year that is bringing change and adventure.

2023 is the year of adventure and change for me. I am no longer living at home and at 18, I am officially an adult. In the middle of February, I moved to Dunedin to attend Otago University. This has been a time of much fun and new experiences, however, the adjustment from living with my family in a large home on a farm just outside Auckland to living in a shoebox-sized dorm room has not been so easy. The constant noise that comes with living next to a hospital and helipad is far from the quiet bliss of home. The view of paddocks and grass has been traded for that of other buildings.

However, I’ve grown to love my little space. The morning sun floods my room when I open my curtains. This is a constant reminder that although this isn’t my normal home, God is good, and he sees me. The light invades the darkness. When I’m missing home the light comes through. When I sit at my desk studying for hours and I start to get tired, the sun beaming through reminds me of the goodness of God. He is the light in our lives. No matter where we are in life physically and spiritually, God can flood our space with light and life.

It reminds me of the common blessing from Numbers chapter 6. The LORD blesses you and keeps you; The LORD makes His face shine upon you. And be gracious to you; The LORD lifts up His countenance upon you and gives you peace.”

I love this verse. It was the blessing we said often at church and is in one of my favourite worship songs. I envisage God looking down at me smiling and I feel the warmth and love from his glory. I am reminded of the grace, love, and peace that God gives us. This ties in well with the Easter message we have all just been hearing. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, it says the world went dark. Darkness is a place of sadness and mourning. Except as we know the story did not end there. After three days Jesus rose from the dead conquering the grave. I imagine the world was not so dark then but full of his wonderous light.

After Easter, as we remember his sacrifice, we can rejoice together as Christians in the glory of God, for Christ is risen. In John 1:4 it says, “In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Whenever you feel you may be in darkness, look for the light. I’m sure it will find you.