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Have you felt the tension in the air? Conversations are brief.   The library is full.  It must mean the business end of the year has arrived.  There is the panicked realisation that work during the year would have helped with exams.  There is fear of the tidal wave of work.  There is the feeling that there are just not enough hours in the day.  Maybe you’re unusual and are relishing the prospect of exam pain - you really are not the norm!

Alongside all of this we feel the pressure from parents or friends or ourselves:  we have to get top marks.  It feels as if our whole future hangs on success of these few weeks.  In addition there is the summer to plan, the holidays, the festivals, the house parties, the jobs to be applying for and the daydreams the library induces.  In the midst of all of this coming to church seems to be the straw that will break the camel’s back.  After all, we think, church will still be there in a month’s time. 

Obviously you are a Christian all the time and coming to church is not more spiritual than other things.  Having said that, there are good reasons to make church a priority.

Here are my top 4 reasons for making a church a priority during exams

1.       You’re a Christian.  The most important thing about you is that you are a Christian.  Being a Christian is more important than passing or failing.  Being a Christian is more important than your future career.  Coming to church feeds your faith.  It helps us to grow to know God better.

2.       Perspective.  Knowing God better helps us in each situation which faces us.  It teaches us what is important and how to live.  You are not just a Christian at church, but church helps you to know what each moment of each day should look like.   This brings perspective on revision and laziness, failure and success.

3.       Church is not all about you.  You might feel you can learn and grow as a Christian from the comfort of your arm chair.  Yet that misses the point that church is communal.  We meet to encourage one another.  Coming to church benefits others as we encourage them, pray with them and learn with them.

4.       Set the Pattern Now.  Exams are part of a life full of big moments.  If you decide that church is for when life is easy and there is not too much on, then you will end up not coming to church much over future years.  Set a good pattern now of coming to church even when life is busy and tough.

There is loads more that could be said, but hopefully that inspires you to keep enjoying coming to church especially through exams.  Also be assured that there are a lot of people praying for you as you face this busy period.