This week, I have been reminded of God's redemptive hand in people's lives. As we have gone around college campuses, we asked students, "What is your biggest fear?".
I suspect their answers are the same as college students' back at home: "loneliness," "uncertainty about the future," "being a disappointment." These responses, while poignant and real, have come in stark contrast to the conversations we've had with our national believer friends.
I recently hear the testimony of a local friend, who shared that she came to Thailand to pursue further studies after being exhausted from working 66-hour work weeks at her job back home. She felt like her whole life was consumed by work; she didn't have time to think about what she wanted or spend time with her friends. She felt like life had lost all meaning.
Knowing she needed a change, she decided to pursue further education through an opportunity in Thailand. While here in Thailand, a missionary shared the gospel with her. This was the first time she felt the doors open to ask God what she should do with her life instead of doing what was expected of her. God was clear: He told her to stay in Thailand and not to return to her old job. She extended her studies another two years instead of returning to China. Slowly, as she entrusted her life to Christ, she began to experience his freedom in tangible ways. She began to enjoy life here, to understand who God had made her to be and also develop a rich community of deep friendships through her church. Hearing her testimony, I am reminded of how clearly God knows what we need better than we do. This beginning of this friend's story is very similar to that of the students we have encountered on campus. We all share some of the same universal fears, and God knowingly built an instruction manual for how to address that. The practical needs of our bodies and spirit are not missed by the Creator.
Please pray that we are able to share with college students about the God who has an answer to our great anxieties, so we don't have to live a life of fear. Please pray that there will be more testimonies like that of our local friend!