The lights danced across the room and my heart danced in my chest. I was there. I had made it to the 2018 National Bible Bee. Every year that I had attended the national competition, I always made a point to stand in the auditorium or ballroom and close my eyes for a moment...to take just a moment to treasure it all in my heart. As I closed my eyes for but a moment in that vast auditorium, I paid attention to the volume of excited voices rising up to the ceiling as friends reunited and contestants became acquainted. You could feel the anticipation and excitement thick in the air. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I opened my eyes and handed my phone over to a dear friend to take pictures. Pictures that could never fully grasp the emotion and beauty of that moment, but that certainly brought back the memories of that place and time. With all of my heart I still couldn't believe that the 2018 National Bible Bee was beginning and I was in the midst of it. Attending as an alumni was so different than my years spent there as a contestant. But it almost makes me laugh, for I thought that I was done writing my "What I learned from Bible Bee" posts after I aged out. I'm thankful that I was wrong about that. The morning of testing at the competition, I walked through the doors without any anxiety. A completely foreign feeling for me. 2018 was my first year back at the Bible Bee since becoming alumni, so it still felt just a little bit weird to not have some nerves. Not that I'm complaining about that. (Trust me, contestants; one of the benefits of being alumni is actually being able to eat breakfast on testing morning.) I got to spend most of that morning and afternoon hanging out with other alumni and contestants who had finished testing. From laughing over stuffed bears, to getting Starbucks, and to dancing to The Greatest Showman songs out on the lawn, I was positively certain my heart couldn't handle anymore happiness. You see, only Bible Bee-er's are going to understand this and only Bible Bee-er's are going to be able to nod their heads emphatically and smile along with me when I say...this wasn't just a competition, it was a family reunion. A reunion with a group of people that had become my second family, my adopted family. A reunion with people I loved so much. And you see, it had been a very long three years since I had seen these people. Perhaps that played a part in some of the things God taught me this year. Because you see, friends, the Bible Bee isn't just about a competition. It's about our God who loves us and the matchless Word of God. And because of that, we still have so much to learn...even after entering the ranks of alumni. Here are just a few things I learned this year: God's timing is worth the wait. When I pulled open the doors of Oak Hills Church there in San Antonio, Texas, it was a moment I had waited three years for. Waiting isn't easy. I'll be the first to tell you that. I'm not exactly the pinnacle of patience. Waiting is hard and painful and sometimes I would rather not experience it. Okay, a lot of times. Sometimes waiting for God's timing can hurt. I felt that. I felt that more than I could tell you in the last three years. But how beautiful it was when I stepped into those doors and I saw a face I hadn't seen in three years running towards me and I hugged one of my dear sisters in Christ with tears in my eyes. God's timing is always worth the wait. The Word of God and a relationship with Him is the greatest treasure. I believed this as a contestant in the National Bible Bee and I was reminded of it that wonderful week in Texas as I watched the joy on the faces of countless young people who were reciting the Word of God with a rare passion you don't find every day. You see, I know the work these incredible kids put into this. I know the hours upon hours of studying it took to get on that stage and in that competition at all. I know the way your brain would feel so full you didn't think you could possibly memorize your 1,000th verse...but you kept praying and memorizing. If you are one of those contestants, I applaud you and I give you a standing ovation. What you completed in His strength is no small task. But what I most applaud the 2018 National Bible Bee contestants for is the way they glorified Christ not only on the stage, but also in the way they handled the entire competition. I knew many of the contestants and every single one I spoke to who did not advance further or who were eliminated during semi's, every single one told me that it was all still worth it. They all knew that they had gained what mattered... the priceless, matchless Word of God. I don't know about you, but I don't know many other competitions where each and every person can walk away having won the true prize. What I was reminded of that week is the Word of God is a great treasure--a treasure worth sacrificing anything for. And I am grateful to the 2018 National contestants for helping bring that back to my memory. <3 Memorizing Scripture is vital. It's been three weeks since I returned from Nationals. In three more weeks, I'll probably forget some of the names of the semi-finalists. In three years I'll probably struggle to remember the names of the finalists. And in thirty years I probably won't remember much about how the 2018 competition went at all. But the verses those contestants had memorized? Those aren't going to fade in three weeks or three years or thirty years. Thinking back on my time as a contestant, I can't remember much about the competition my first year in 2011. If I did some digging I'm sure I could find the names for you of the top fifteen or all the contestants who received medals that are probably now sitting on a shelf gathering dust like mine is. But the verses I memorized? There are still passages from 2011 that come back to my memory when I need them. There are still verses that give me peace, comfort, guidance, and strength when I recall them to my memory. The trophies, the medals, the money, the lights, and even that wonderful week at Nationals will all fade. But the Word of God will not. I think we can all agree--contestants and alumni--that this is the most beautiful thing we gain from the Bible Bee. <3 I am so blessed. God has blessed me in so many ways and this incredible week in Texas reminded me of the blessing God gave me in knowing these people. These friends...they're priceless. These memories...they're always going to be in my heart. How blessed I am that God gave me people who are so difficult to say goodbye to. To my Bible Bee family: I am blessed to know you and I was blessed to spend that week with you. You show me what true friendship is. That week we spent at "heaven rehearsal" reminds me how wonderful it will be to one day spend all eternity worshipping Jesus together. I love you all dearly. If we don't meet again this side of heaven, I'll meet you on that beautiful shore. Now that the 2018 National Bible Bee is over, my heart is full of memories and thankfulness. And to all the contestants and alumni.... Keep running. Keep serving Jesus. Keep seeking to know Him. Keep memorizing His Word. Keep giving up everything for Him. Keep glorifying Him. I know we can all confidently declare together... He is worth it all. <3
Grace
12/31/2018 12:51:19 am
Bellaaaa!!!
Genevieve
12/31/2018 03:02:35 pm
Your presence made Nats so special. And you're right; three years was worth the wait! Love you, Bella!
Mom
12/31/2018 04:53:05 pm
Loved this post. Gods word will never return void. Hiding His word in your heart is so important. And having friends to worship with and encourage eachother is a blessing.
Joanna L
1/2/2019 09:26:03 pm
Ah, I love this post! Although I haven't ever gone to Nats, this makes me want to go even more xDD 1/13/2019 01:16:43 am
I'm so happy you had such an incredible time, dearie, I loved the joy you wrote into this post❤️ Comments are closed.
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