This past week, my family and I embarked on a memorable trip to Ohio, exploring a serene place outside of Steubenville called Catholic Family Land. We spend a week at this Catholic family camp with tons of other families. To be honest, my summer has been quite hectic, with work, other trips, time with my girlfriend, and constant thoughts about college. I anticipated having fun with my friends who were also attending, but I didn’t expect to gain any profound insights.

I could rave about the thrilling volleyball games and the great moments spent with my friends, but the highlight of my time there was an encounter with a remarkable man named Brother Andrew. He is a guy studying to be a priest and is also insane at ultimate frisbee. I don’t know about you but I have always had a view of brothers and monks as people who really just pray all day. But this dude was one of the coolest guys I met there, he just was more committed to God (which is awesome).

Brother Andrew graciously shared his personal journey, starting from his high school days through college. In high school, he seemed to have it all – outstanding grades, a star football player, and a beautiful girlfriend. However, upon entering college, everything changed. He experienced a painful breakup, didn’t continue playing football, and saw his grades take a hit. It was his rock-bottom moment. What he told me next struck a chord deep within me; he had based everything on what he did, not on who he was.

His words resonated with me because I, too, had always defined myself by my achievements. It made me realize that I didn’t truly know who I was. Who am I, really?

Brother Andrew continued his story, revealing that he found solace in God during his darkest moments. He began reading the Bible daily and deepened his faith. Although he once envisioned a future with a family, God called him in a different direction – the priesthood. Embracing God’s plan, even though it was daunting, brought him more happiness than anything he had planned for himself.

As someone who grapples with anxiety about the future, Brother Andrew’s words struck a chord with me. The uncertainty of what lies ahead often overwhelms me. I place immense pressure on myself to achieve greatness and lead a fulfilling life. My mind races constantly, and when Brother Andrew asked me, “Who are you?” it sent my thoughts into a whirlwind. Who am I? Where will I be in the future? Will I achieve the success I’ve always dreamed of?

For a long time, I’ve yearned for peace of mind, but these questions seemed to stir the pot even more. However, amidst the complexity of it all, the answer was strikingly simple: “Jesus, I trust in you.” Letting go of worries and surrendering my life to God is challenging, but admitting that I don’t have all the answers and that God has my back, regardless of the outcome, brings a sense of comfort.

After some deep introspection, I can now confidently say who I am to myself. I am Luke Weber – caring, curious, extremely motivated, a good listener, hardworking, a child of God, and so much more. We are all more than the labels we put on ourselves. In the end, what truly matters is how we impact others and the essence of our being.

When your time is up on Earth, your not going to want be remembered for working your high paying job for 40 years. Your going to want to be remembered as an amazing person. Your going to want to be remembered as who you are.

On the journey home, while reflecting on my journal entries, I realized that the question “What does the future hold?” had been a recurring theme. Surprisingly, I arrived at the same conclusion as Brother Andrew – just trust in God. Hearing it from someone else and connecting with someone who experienced the same uncertainty made a significant difference.

Now, I feel more at peace than ever before. My mind is clear, free from anxious rushing thoughts. As senior year approaches, I know there will be moments of worry, but this time, I will pause and say, “Jesus, I trust in you.”

Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy reflection. I hope you enjoyed it and could relate to it in some way. I look forward to sharing more of my experiences and journey with you, whether you choose to follow along or not – either way, it’s cool.