The Quiet Way God Met Me This Summer

 This summer, I had the privilege of going to New Wine for the very first time — a week-long Christian festival I had heard so much about but never experienced for myself.

To be honest, I arrived feeling everything all at once — excited, nervous, expectant, even a little overwhelmed. But what I didn’t expect was just how much God would meet me in that week, both in the big, loud moments and in the quiet, still ones.

Every morning, thousands of us would gather together under one roof for worship and teaching. Standing there, surrounded by so many voices praising God, was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It wasn’t just that I felt connected to Him — I felt connected to everyone in that space. There was a deep sense of belonging, of being part of something much bigger than myself. The joy, hope, and love in that room were so tangible it sometimes brought me to tears.

But the most powerful moments weren’t just in the crowds — they were in the quiet. Each morning, I woke up early at camp, sat outside with my Bible, and just spent time with God before the day began. In those moments, I felt His presence so clearly, like He was guiding me into everything that was ahead.

Even through strangers, God spoke to me. People I had never met came up and asked to pray for me, sharing what they felt God was speaking over my life. Those moments were deeply personal and reminded me that God knows me — He sees me, even in a crowd of thousands.

Later in the summer, I went to Big Church Festival with my boyfriend, and in many ways, I had similar experiences — moments of worship, prayer, and feeling God’s presence so strongly. But this time, it felt different because it was shared. Experiencing God’s presence side by side reminded both of us how important it is to keep Jesus at the very centre and foundation of our relationship. It made me reflect on the ways He has blessed our relationship — sometimes in big, obvious ways, and sometimes in such small, gentle ways that they almost go unnoticed.

By the end of the summer, I left with a peace and a renewed sense of hope I hadn’t felt in a long time. My faith felt deeper, steadier, and alive in a way that was new to me.

But I want to be honest — that doesn’t mean everything since then has been easy. There have been weeks where I’ve felt distant from God, when prayer felt harder, when my Bible sat unopened. And yet, even in those times, I know He is still with me, still patient, still inviting me to keep walking with Him.

That’s the journey, isn’t it? Some weeks we feel so close, like we did at New Wine or Big Church, and other weeks we stumble or slow down. But the point is, we keep going. We keep striving to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, trusting that He is faithful to meet us again — in the noise, in the quiet, and everywhere in between.

Love always,

Ruby xo