My name is Mia and I am in my last year of High school. I got to a Christian High School, and do believe in Christ. In Germany, we are allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 16. I’ve had extreme experiences with alcohol. I get drunk very easily and cause trouble, and always end up having to stay in bed after a crazy night of drinking. There were times where I had to skip school from the drinking I have done. Sometimes, I would get so drunk that I would wake up and not remember what happened. I’ve even woken up on a park bench when my friends and I went there after some drinks!
My dream is to get into the University of Cambridge. I have wanted to attend Cambridge from when I was a little girl, and because of this dream, I have stopped drinking for almost 3 months. Drinking has made my grades drop; it’s from skipping classes, and not being able to focus.
Recently, my friends asked me to go to a Moon Party with them in Thailand before exams and before we all depart our separate ways. I’m not sure whether to go or not. It’s not just the drinking, it’s also not the safest place, and I hear that there’s drugs and rape sometimes can happen if people aren’t careful. I really want to make good memories and have a wonderful time with my friends before we all separate, but I also want to do decent in my exams. Will I regret if I don’t go? Does God not want me to go? What does God want me to do? What if I don’t get to see my friends for a long time? What should I do?
Thank you Ally!
Love, Mia
Dear Mia,
Waking up on a bench in a park does sound very extreme. I understand how you want to spend time with your friends and do well on your exams at the same time. I think that it’s important to build a strong relationship with the people who you care about before you all go to different countries for University, but partying hard is not the right idea. Partying has many possibly dangerous factors to it such as fighting, drug use, injury, and even unprotected sex. God doesn’t want us to get drunk and become mindless like animals. Ephesians 5:18 says do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. God doesn’t tell us that drinking is bad, and that it should be banned, but he does tell us that being drunk is not good. I think that it is okay for you to go on this trip as long as you know how to be responsible for yourself and as long as you are able to control and limit yourself when drinking. Don’t let the devil get your foothold! Don’t fall into temptation. Pray to God about it before you go, have an accountability partner who can watch out on you, and who you can watch out for. Set your boundaries very strictly before you go.
Matthew 5:16 “ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Don’t fall into peer pressure when your friends are all getting drunk, or if they ask you to get drunk with them. You can instead be a light to them! Stand strong even if your friends and drinking and you’re not. Think of what glorifies God. What does he want for you? You can be a light to your friends when partying. It may be safer for you to not go because it is your past weakness, but if you do chose to go, please remember that it will be tempting and very difficult. Remind yourself that God always has a bigger plan for you than you know of.
Remember that where you go for University isn’t the most important event in life and in God. Jeremiah 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. God has a beautiful plan for you, and already knows what you are going to do with the gift of life he gave you. I hope that you will be able to make wise decisions and be open to loving God and praying to him. Have fun Mia! Good luck on your exams!