by Alice Ting
As I reflect on these past four years of college, I can’t even begin to put into words just how faithful God has been to me in constantly demonstrating His goodness and His grace in my life. Leaving the comfortable surroundings of my Ohio hometown behind, I arrived at UCSD a quiet and timid young freshman fearing that I’d be like a fish out of water and wondering why again it was that I had decided to come all the way out here. God was quick to comfort me though as I soon discovered He had brought me to a place where there was an abundance of good churches and fellowships to choose from. Not only that, He provided a group of fellow brothers and sisters who I quickly bonded with as we searched together for where it was that God was calling us to. I’m still constantly amazed and thankful when I think about the people that God sovereignly brought into my life, many of whom have become some of my closest friends and biggest encouragements these past few years, challenging me to grow and pointing me to Christ.
This was just one of the many times throughout college that God used to teach me that I needed to trust in Him. I’ve learned that, as Philippians 4:6-7 constantly reminded me, I have no need to worry or be anxious. He is faithful and sovereign in His plans and, though it definitely took me a while to learn this, God was patient with me. I was always one who liked things planned out and found comfort in knowing what was ahead, so dealing with uncertainty was tough. Again and again, God brought me through different trials and struggles, teaching me to rely solely on Him and not myself. As I grew, I was able to find comfort and peace in Him through prayer and His Word in a way that I wasn’t able to before.
God has been faithful in growing me in many other ways as well. In both revealing more of His character, holiness and righteousness as well as the depth of my sinfulness, I see more each day just how much I need God. Though I entered college thinking I had a good understanding of the gospel, I grew to have a deeper appreciation as I began to better grasp its meaning and significance in my life. I learned that the gospel was not just for those who weren’t saved, but it was just as important for me now – a sinner still just as much in need of God’s grace. I needed to constantly go back to the gospel, reminding myself every time I failed and fell short that it is by Christ living the perfect life and dying for my sins that I am forgiven and can come before a holy God. It is in knowing this that I can rejoice and praise God, that as I recognize more of just how sinful I am, I see all the more how amazing His grace is.
In God’s grace and sovereignty, He led me to Lighthouse just this past year. Though I haven’t been here long, I have felt so blessed and encouraged by the strong teaching of God’s Word and especially by the many faithful men and women who, through their actions and their lives, I can see are truly living for God’s glory in every way. I have been so challenged to not only know God’s Word better, but to live in a manner that seeks to honor and glorify God in all that I do. As each week passes, I’ve come to appreciate God more and more for bringing me to Lighthouse and I look forward to running the race towards Christ alongside my fellow brothers and sisters.
Favorite place in SD: The cliffs-I can’t help but marvel at God’s majesty and beautiful creation every time I’m there.
Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 and Ephesians 2:8-9
Memory that stands out the most: Having really good long talks with friends. I think the record was 8 hours. That was definitely freshman year when we were crazy and didn’t sleep much.
Advice for collegians: Really appreciate a good solid church like Lighthouse