A new day dawning: A reflection from Caleb

One of the most beautiful parts of Act Five lies in witnessing what God is capable of doing in transforming our students in their months with us, shaping young adults as people of character, hope, justice, wisdom.  This road of transformation often involves young people coming to face pain and fears in new ways – or for the first time – in the company of God and a community rooted in Him.

Caleb is a testament this year to what God longs to do in each of us. His story is far bigger than just his time with Act Five, but we have been privileged to be part of a significant moment in this story. We encourage you to reach out to him to ask him for more of his story, but for now, read a reflection he wrote below:

A Reflection & A Refraction

The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing your song again

I don’t remember ever having a real appreciation for the sun. It just always seemed to be there when I wanted it to be. Now that might have something to do with the fact that I spent 5 years of my life in the sunniest country in Europe, with an average of 3000 sunny hours in a year. But I think it had more to do with the fact that I never consciously understood the effect of the sunshine on me. Was this perhaps connected to how, for several years, I tried to numb myself to the world in order to protect myself from a looming fear of pain and sorrow that I felt was expectantly waiting to pounce on me the second I was open with what a lot of life made me feel? Maybe? Who can say? 

What I do know for sure is that this spring has seemed to be the brightest of them all. And as surely as I know that the sun comes up to start everyday anew, I also know that a new chapter of my life is dawning. A chapter with maybe, just maybe, some openness and vulnerability. Days where unrealized fear in me is intentionally conquered, days where hope is on the horizon and where life is found like shining rays. Let it be that this chapter is filled with the singing of Your song. For

Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me…

May I Lord – may I address each sunrise and each sunset of this coming chapter with praises to Your name, of Your love, of Your patience, of Your heart, and of Your goodness.

Especially, God, when my strength is failing, I will worship Your Holy name.

– Caleb