I am an enthusiastic forward planner. Whether it is a spreadsheet, an app or a good old Filofax, lists and itineraries are what gives me a sense of safety and comfort. If I’ve researched thoroughly and made a plan, I can be sure that everything is going to be ok.
When Jesus sends out his disciples in Luke 9, saying “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there” (Luke 9:3-4) I’d be the one pulling Jesus to one side and saying “I’m absolutely not ok with this idea. Give me a poly-folder of maps and hotel booking confirmation printouts, three different payment methods (just in case) and a thorough packing list considering all possible weather conditions and I might just consider this arrangement.”
I am writing this reflection on the occasion of A Level results day, a day that truly separates the ‘got it all planned out, mate’ brigade, from those who revel in the unknown. For the former, the opening of those results is a confirmation of whether carefully-laid plans can be realised. For the latter, a sense of what exciting future might be possible.
Of course, the reality (say it quietly, because it’s going to muck up my spreadsheet) is that nobody can completely plan for the future. Even if you’ve carefully and strategically chosen the perfect Uni, applied for accommodation, visited the website of every church within a 2 mile radius and chosen exactly which you’ll go to, made a shortlist of societies you’ll try… even if this is you (and yes, you’ve guessed it, this was me) it isn’t going to go exactly as you imagine. It can’t possibly. Life is more exciting than that. Same goes if you’re moving on, not to Uni, but to a job or some alternative training.
I’m a University Chaplain at the same University that I arrived at 19 years ago (my goodness…) aged 19 (half my life ago then…) thinking that I had everything planned. As a Chaplain, a lot of my conversations during the first few weeks of term are with people who are altering their plans. Accommodation, course, Church, societies, even Uni itself, not working out. And do you know what? If it doesn’t work out exactly as planned, that’s absolutely fine.
A Level results day is a day when plans might have to change. If you’re someone, like me, who finds security in knowing exactly what is happening next, it’s going to be hard if your results aren’t quite what you need to put your plans into action. In my experience, time and reflection are needed to recalibrate and think – ok, if not this, what next? And, fellow Filofax crew, here we might need to borrow some of the spirit of our friends who throw caution to the wind and say “let’s see what’s around the next corner.” Maybe option b, the one you never thought of, is a pretty marvellous option too. Maybe it’s even better than option a. Maybe you will one day look back and say “I’m delighted that didn’t work out. Because this is so much better.”
In Acts 1, Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving his disciples to get on with it, with the promise of the Spirit to guide them. “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority” Jesus says, in v7. “Can you be a little more specific?” I would be screaming, as Christ disappeared into the clouds, “I have an itinerary to populate!” But the promise of the Spirit should set our minds at ease. With those first disciples, and yes, with us. As we open our results, as we consider what next, as we go to new and unfamiliar places, we’re absolutely not alone. And if you need reassurance when you get to Uni, please do drop your Chaplain a line. They’ll be delighted to meet you.
Congratulations on your results, whatever they are. You’ve got this.
Written by Revd Hannah Alderson. Hannah is the Lazenby Chaplain (Anglican) for Streatham and St Luke's Campuses in Exeter.