ARTICLE

What does it really mean to follow Christ when there are so many distractions, pressures, and constant noise around us? Social media constantly shows what everyone else is doing, making it easy to feel left out or pressured. Because of this, it’s not always easy to stay true to my beliefs. Being a disciple of Christ today is not just about believing; it’s about actually trying to live the way He taught us every single day. Sometimes it can be really hard, but keeping my faith helps me to make choices that matter. Being a disciple isn’t about following rules—it’s about growing closer to God and learning how to treat people with love and respect. There are so many distractions around us, and it’s easy for us to lose focus. That’s why choosing to follow Christ every day is something I take very seriously.

For me, following Christ shows up in the small choices I make every day. This is something I try to practice daily, especially at school. One way this shows up is in how I choose my friends. I try to surround myself with people who encourage me rather than people who pull me in the wrong direction. I also try to treat everyone with respect. Of course, there are times when people are mean or try to start drama. When that happens, I do my best to understand them rather than react the same way. Even when things get stressful, I try to remain calm and let my faith guide my decisions, rather than getting caught up in negativity. Part of staying close to Christ for me is strengthening my faith through daily habits. For example, praying before school helps me stay calm during stressful moments or when someone tries to upset me. Reading my Bible every day reminds me to stay patient and gives me guidance for the day ahead. Doing little things, like helping someone who’s having a hard time or making sure no one feels left out, reminds me to act as Christ would. All of these small actions help me stay focused because they encourage me to be kind, remain patient, and live as Jesus taught.

Following Christ isn’t only about what I do for myself; it’s also about how I show His love to others. I’m the youngest teacher in the youth Sabbath School class, which is mostly made up of people older than me, and I also serve on the youth praise team. Teaching people older than me can sometimes be intimidating, but it helps me grow in my faith by hearing different perspectives and builds my confidence. I am also part of a Christian club at school, where most people aren’t Seventh-day Adventists. This gives me the opportunity to explain my beliefs to people who aren’t familiar with them and to share God's love in meaningful ways. Being involved in these activities reminds me that even small actions, like teaching lessons and showing kindness, can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Being a disciple of Christ today isn’t just about believing; it’s about the choices I make and the ways I serve others. From the small decisions I make at school to the bigger responsibilities I have at church and in the Christian club, I try to reflect my faith in everything I do. I hope that by staying consistent in these actions, I can encourage my friends to think about their own faith as well. Following Jesus in today’s world isn’t always easy, but it helps me grow as a person and make better decisions. I hope that by continuing to live out my faith through meaningful everyday actions, I can make a positive difference in my school, my church, and my community.

Shiloh Tiriboyi
Barrie Seventh-day Adventist Church