As the end of the year nears, many of us are feeling the busyness of the season.
Our calendars fill quickly with holiday plans, work celebrations and family gatherings. It’s a time of excitement, joy and preparation.
However, amid the excitement, let’s take a moment to think about a group of people who may not be feeling that same sense of excitement right now — high-school students, especially those preparing for their final exams.
For these youths, this time of year brings stress, pressure and anxiety.
The thought of Christmas cheer seems far off as they face the intensity of exams, particularly Year 12 students completing their VCE and HSC.
These exams represent the culmination of years of hard work, and for many, significantly impact their future opportunities, whether that’s gaining entry to their preferred university course, securing a spot in a TAFE program or deciding on the next step in their career journey.
It’s no surprise that they are feeling the weight of these moments.
For those of us raising teens, we see first-hand the dedication and effort they pour into their studies, the late nights, the tiredness and the mounting pressure as they try to finish strong.
It can be overwhelming, and it’s easy for them to believe that their entire future depends on these exam results.
As parents, relatives and friends, we have a valuable opportunity to support them during this time.
We can remind them that while school and exams are important, they don’t define who they are or what they are capable of.
Their worth isn’t found in the grades they receive or in the achievements they accomplish.
This truth isn’t just for students — it’s a message we all need to hear.
Whether we’re in the middle of exams or dealing with the pressures of work, family or life’s challenges, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our value is based on what we can achieve or how others perceive us.
In a world that constantly measures success by results, it can be difficult to remember that our worth is not tied to our performance.
The good news is that our worth is defined by something far greater. Our value is not determined by our accomplishments, our careers or how full our calendars look.
Our worth is defined by God, God who created each of us intentionally with a purpose and with value.
For students facing exams, this is a reminder that they are not defined by the pressure of these tests.
They are valuable because they are known and loved by God. And for all of us, it’s a reminder that no matter what challenges we face, our worth is not set by our circumstances but set by God.
As we enter this busy season, let’s carry this reminder with us. Let’s offer encouragement to anyone in our lives who needs to hear it, reminding them that their value isn’t determined by their grades, accomplishments, successes or failure.
And let’s remind ourselves of the same — that our worth is defined by God, and it is not dependent on what we do, but on who we are in His eyes.
In a world that often defines us by our accomplishments, may we find peace in the knowledge that our worth is secure in the love of God, and that no exam, job or success can change that.
Ps Chris Stevenson, Epicentre Church.