How hype was Ignite Conference?! So hype…
It was over as quickly as it started. I remember thinking on the last day, there is no way the Conference is over! Those incredible four days are always a highlight in my year and always bring me back to what really matters- my relationship with Jesus and how I want to share that joy with others. There were so many moments where I encountered God, in the deep moments of worship, adoration, mass or talking in the festival area and having a mad dinner feed. Even in listening to the presenters share in the workshops or just realising the Joy of Christian fellowship!
Coming home from Ignite Conference 2021 has been a reality check. It has made me rethink who I am, how I want to change some aspects of my life, and recommit to other aspects. While exploring the theme of ‘UNLEASH’ at Ignite Conference and the quote “Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire” (St Catherine of Siena) I realised some important things. I realised that in some areas of my life I wasn’t being who I was created to be. I was settling for mediocrity in my faith, friendships, and life, and I wasn’t allowing God to unleash the gifts and potential he had placed in me, to serve him with my whole heart. I was living a half-life and not allowing myself to be fully alive!
I know that might be the same for you? Maybe in some areas of your life, you haven’t allowed yourself to fully be who you were created to be, and at Ignite Conference you realised that? Maybe you made some commitments to yourself and to Jesus, and to allowing yourself to be unleashed!
As we know coming back from Ignite Conference or events like it isn’t always easy. We go back to the same situations, the same friends, and even the same mindset as to what we had before and it can feel like nothing has changed. But we know that God did something in our lives at Ignite Conference, so here are my top tips for coming back to everyday life after Ignite Conference.
Don’t forget what God did at Ignite Conference!
Remember after the lights fade and the Music stops Jesus is still with you! He isn’t just at Ignite Conference or mass on Sunday or at youth group. He is always with you!
“Behold I am with you even until the end of the age” – Matthew 28:20
I know for me and I’m sure for you guys as well God has revealed something to you at Ignite Conference, whether it be an experience in worship, Mass, or adoration or just through a conversation with someone or something you heard in a workshop. That isn’t a coincidence it is a tangible moment where God wanted to speak to you so remember that! write it down allow him to continue to speak to you.
Pray. Every. Day!
I know a commitment I made for myself after this conference is to pray every day! When you miss a day of connecting with your creator, it is so much easier to get distracted and fall away from him. Maybe you could start your day with a short prayer? (or a long one if you have time!). There are so many ways to connect with God. Maybe you prefer journaling, going to mass or adoration, reading books about the lives of the saints or reading scripture, listening to praise and worship music.
There are so many different people in this world and so many different ways God wants to reach each one of us, so find the way that Jesus wants to reach you and continue to seek out that place of encounter with him. And of course, be open to new and deeper ways in which he wants to speak to you. God doesn’t just want to be with you at ignite conference he wants to be with you every day!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Find Christ-filled friends!
It’s hard to follow Jesus when you don’t have people around you who are also wanting to follow him. So reconnect with the friends you made at Ignite Conference, and reach out to people who also are keen to strengthen their faith and continue your post-conference journey together.
Maybe connect with your small group or a youth minister at your school? You don’t have to do a bible study every time you meet, but just hanging out with other Christians or people you know are on the same journey as you can be encouraging. We are not made to be alone on this Christian journey but in relationship and friendship with God and others!
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” –Ecclesiastes 4:10
We’re right here with you in the post-conference blues, and we hope you stay connected to Jesus and unleash the gifts he has given you!
Stay connected in with our upcoming events, and hope to see you all really soon.