by Hansol An
Even though I’ve realized it for some time now, I’m always amazed to reflect back on a year and realize how fast time has passed. In the beginning of the school year I wrote the first College Life article for the Beacon. In it I expressed some early excitement (and apprehension) about the 2010-2011 school year due to all the changes that were happening. All I can say is that it’s been an amazing year! The staff: amazing. The collegians: amazing. God: amazing, of course. No one knew what to expect but God has given us a year where I have witnessed the equipping and growth of so many in so short a time. The ministry has displayed tremendous servant-hood at every turn. Peter Lim, Johnny Kim and I can attest to the graciousness of this ministry, firsthand (thank you for the kind gifts!). I’ve seen how so many students are eager to serve one another as well. I’ve witnessed the discussions about what people have been learning. I know people are reaching out to those who are hurting. But what really amazes me is that these external actions are pointing to something more – the manifestations of what’s in the hearts of our collegians. To see them applying what they have learned, becoming doers of the word and not hearers only, is the greatest encouragement. The external fruit is nice but the prospect of what God is doing in the hearts of our collegians is the most exciting part.
Having attended a commencement ceremony this year brought back many memories of my own graduation and college life. It gave me a chance to remember where I was in my walk with Christ and how it could have all turned out so differently. By God’s grace, I can say that I am not at the same place, spiritually, that I was back then. How sad would it be if I was in exactly the same spiritual state? I have seen God work in my life and in my heart to live more for Him and less for myself. Though I’m very much still a work-in-progress I can safely (and gladly) say that who I am now is a testimony to a devotion to God and his desire for my life. That devotion was nurtured in college. That’s why I like to say that college is so formative. It’s not just myself either. Those that truly loved the Lord and made decisions for His kingdom before their own desires while still in college, are the ones I still see faithfully seeking His glory.
For the 20 graduating seniors (and for the rest of you collegians for that matter) my prayer is that you will be able to look back and say, “I’ve changed…for the better.” Sadly there are many who peak spiritually in college. In a way it’s understandable. All of your close friends are Christians. You’re going to church activities constantly. Your life is very much infused with Christianity. The danger here is that when you enter the “real world” you’ll lose your source of spiritual zeal, if that source is misplaced. It might be a good time to assess the source of your Christianity. If it’s the people around you, Lighthouse Bible Church or anything else other than Christ, you need to acknowledge that now. In John 14:6 Jesus makes a clear statement about the exclusivity of the source of our salvation. Luke affirms this in Acts 4:12.
Hopefully all you College Lifers have grown as much as it appears you have. You might feel like there’s so much time for you to address any shortcomings later. Time will only go faster and faster as you get older and you don’t get any of it back. Before you know it you’ll be looking back on your graduation ten years prior. How you look back on that time will depend on what you do with your life now. Live like you believe that Christ is the way, the truth and the life.