Every Sunday when I was younger, I would wake up at nine to a white dress with flower trim hanging on my closet door, waiting for me to put it on to go to Sunday school. Opening up my children’s Bible, I would drag my finger across scripture as my teacher read us our weekly chapter. Sitting there trying to obtain the complex words written in the Bible, I never knew why I spent my Sundays at church, sitting at the same table with the same faces, going through the same routine. From the ages of three to 10, I never felt connected to God, or any religion for that matter, until I started to understand the values within the religion.

Entering fifth grade, my parents divorced. It was hard for me to have the motivation to do things that I did daily, like figure skating, my homework and even getting up from bed. From living in a house with two parents to having to live two completely different lives, I was lost at 10. On my bookshelf was my children’s Bible, collecting dust. Staring at the Bible, I knew I had to make a change in my life. I grew up a lost Christian, struggling to understand my faith during a time when everything around me felt broken. Over time, I realized that religion wasn’t just about going to church or following traditions I didn’t yet understand. It was about the values behind the faith and how those values could guide me through difficult moments. That realization showed me that beliefs, religious or not, matter to everyone, because they give people direction, comfort and a sense of purpose when life feels uncertain.

Religion and beliefs matter because they shape who people are and how they choose to live their lives. For some, religion provides hope and guidance during difficult times. For others who are not religious, beliefs may come from personal values, family or life experiences. No matter where they come from, beliefs help people understand right from wrong, give them strength when facing challenges, and remind them that their lives have meaning. Everyone needs something to believe in, especially during moments of change or hardship; beliefs give people purpose, direction and a reason to keep moving forward.

Beliefs are not about having all the answers or following a perfect path. I think people should have beliefs that will make them become better people, guide them and to know they have a purpose in life. From sitting in a pew every Sunday, listening to a priest preach about things that I didn’t understand to taking my time understanding God and living in his word, my faith helped me find purpose during a time when I felt lost. Religion and beliefs matter, not just for those who are religious, but for everyone searching for meaning in their lives.