Today is A-Level Results Day in the UK, which is a big moment for many 18-year-olds across the country. For many, it is a day of joy and celebration. For others, it can be challenging if the results you receive are not the ones you hoped for, or don’t allow you to get into the first choice of University. Regardless of which position you find yourselves in, I wanted to share these reminders today. However, these are important things to remember at whatever stage of life you are at.
1. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
God works all things together for our good – and that includes the results we get, whatever we achieve or don’t achieve, whatever we manage to do or fail to do. All of these experiences God can use for our good, even if in the moment it doesn’t seem like it.
2. “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.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Whatever the results you get, God knows what he plans to do in your life. No failure or disappointment is going to get in the way of the plans God has got for your life, and so whatever the situation you can hold onto this truth. God still has amazing plans to prosper you. On the other hand, if you have excelled in your exams God will be able to use that to push you onto greater and even more exciting things. God can use you, no matter what.
3. “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Your worth is not determined by what you achieve. You are precious to God, and nothing that a piece of paper says is going to change that. God will take care of you and nurture you, regardless of what you do or achieve. A friend of mine used to say “you are a human being not a human doing” and I think this verse really reflects that. Our worth is in who we are – as Children of God – not in what we do.
4. “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
God doesn’t want us to burn ourselves out over work or academia, he wants us to take rest in him. God offers us rest unconditionally. He knows that we need a break, and doesn’t want us to be constantly striving for worldly achievements at the expense of our health.
5. “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26 AMP
When we depend on our own strength, we cannot achieve the things that are possible in God’s strength. In all things, we must rely on God who can do immeasurably more than we could even imagine, to work things out for our good. The results you receive may make it seem like your dreams are impossible, but God can do more than your wildest dreams could conceive of if we trust in him.
