Every World Youth Congress (WYC) touches me in a different way.
I still vividly remember my very first WYC, entitled “Be Not Afraid.” At that time, I was carrying so many burdens in life. I was struggling, facing one problem after another. I felt overwhelmed. I prayed a lot, but I still felt lost and unsure whether I should go.
But my Chapter Servant never gave up on me. He kept encouraging and pushing me to join, even when I didn’t have the strength or will. He saw something I couldn’t see at the time. He believed that God had something in store for me. And true enough, all his efforts paid off. I was able to join that first WYC, and it marked a turning point in my spiritual life.
Now, here I am attending my third WYC, this time with the theme “Anchored in Christ.” Looking back, I realize how God never stopped pursuing me. Even when I wanted to give up, even when my heart was tired, He kept calling me to serve Him. He kept anchoring me in His love.
During one of the sessions, I heard something powerful: “Surrender everything to Him, and He will make your burdens light.” That message pierced my heart. It reminded me of the season right before this WYC. I was going through another storm in my life. So many problems came at once. I felt drained, discouraged, and honestly, I lost the motivation to even attend this congress.
But God didn’t let me walk away. He pushed me gently but firmly to show up, to be present, and to feel again what I had been missing, His love.
He reminded me of something I had forgotten—that I am never alone. That in every battle I fight, in every tear I cry, He is with me.
Through this journey, God has taught me:
To rejoice in the process, even when it’s painful,
To endure with unwavering faith, even when I don’t understand,
And to persevere with complete trust, knowing that His promises never fail.
Truly, God is a Promise Keeper. He never abandons. He never forgets. And He never stops loving.
