"Anyone who doesn't believe in miracles is not a realist" -- David Ben-Gurion
I know that the University is not typically a place where one shares faith. Be it unconventional or taboo, it is generally seen as a secular entity. I would like to take this opportunity, however, to share a bit of my faith, as it is integral to who I am as a person--and to my personal development.
Last week, I got the tragic news that one of my high school friends was severely injured during a mission trip. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and was induced medically into a coma and part of his skull was removed in order to create space for his swollen brain. Having had some medical training, I knew the prognosis was grim. In fact, the physicians said that if he were to merely survive the ordeal (meaning with or without completely mental function), it would defy modern medicine.
He and his family being Christian, they asked for our prayers. Because this friend was such a genuinely kind person, I know that literally hundreds of people were praying for him that week. I, for one, prayed that no matter what happened, he and his family would know Christ's love and comfort. Naturally, I also prayed that he would make a full recovery. I wasn't sure if that was in God's plan, though. Last Sunday, my friend's congregation as well as other people fasted for him. Everyone was still very worried about him and his condition, and spirits were low to say the least.
That Sunday night, the physicians reduced his sedatives and removed it breathing tube, in an effort to gauge his progress. He made it the entire night breathing on his own, without supplementary oxygen. The next morning, he was able to converse with his nurse. From a website made to report on his condition, I even heard that he gave his nurse a fight bump! Over the past few days, he has literally made huge strides--able to walk around, feed himself, and make complex sentences. The fact that he even awoke, not to mention his mental capacity, was truly a miracle. This is not meant to sound cliché. I truly believe that God's hand was at work in my friend's life. My friend defied all of medicine and is on his way to a full recovery from such a traumatic event.
This was too great to keep to myself--I feel compelled to tell others; it was meant to be shared.
Again, I know that it may seem strange to express these thoughts and events on a page linked with a University. I sincerely believe, however, that the message of this event can touch lives, and therefore I will not hesitate to share it. Here's how it touched mine. It reminded me that my God, a God of hope and love, is with me where ever I go. Furthermore, I know that with God always at my side, I can make it through anything. Although many examples come to mind, I would like to conclude here by sharing a few verses that illustrate this point and helped me through this event. They serve to strengthen my faith in the Lord, which is central to who I am.
"Don't worry about anything; Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, And thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace"
~Philippians 4:6
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love"
~Romans 8:38-39
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
~1 Corinthians 10:13
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
~Jeremiah 29:11
Even if you are not a follower of Christ, always remember that multitudes of people surround you who love you and who would do anything for you. In times of need, do not hesitate to turn to them for support. That's what we're all here for: to support others.
I know that the University is not typically a place where one shares faith. Be it unconventional or taboo, it is generally seen as a secular entity. I would like to take this opportunity, however, to share a bit of my faith, as it is integral to who I am as a person--and to my personal development.
Last week, I got the tragic news that one of my high school friends was severely injured during a mission trip. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and was induced medically into a coma and part of his skull was removed in order to create space for his swollen brain. Having had some medical training, I knew the prognosis was grim. In fact, the physicians said that if he were to merely survive the ordeal (meaning with or without completely mental function), it would defy modern medicine.
He and his family being Christian, they asked for our prayers. Because this friend was such a genuinely kind person, I know that literally hundreds of people were praying for him that week. I, for one, prayed that no matter what happened, he and his family would know Christ's love and comfort. Naturally, I also prayed that he would make a full recovery. I wasn't sure if that was in God's plan, though. Last Sunday, my friend's congregation as well as other people fasted for him. Everyone was still very worried about him and his condition, and spirits were low to say the least.
That Sunday night, the physicians reduced his sedatives and removed it breathing tube, in an effort to gauge his progress. He made it the entire night breathing on his own, without supplementary oxygen. The next morning, he was able to converse with his nurse. From a website made to report on his condition, I even heard that he gave his nurse a fight bump! Over the past few days, he has literally made huge strides--able to walk around, feed himself, and make complex sentences. The fact that he even awoke, not to mention his mental capacity, was truly a miracle. This is not meant to sound cliché. I truly believe that God's hand was at work in my friend's life. My friend defied all of medicine and is on his way to a full recovery from such a traumatic event.
This was too great to keep to myself--I feel compelled to tell others; it was meant to be shared.
Again, I know that it may seem strange to express these thoughts and events on a page linked with a University. I sincerely believe, however, that the message of this event can touch lives, and therefore I will not hesitate to share it. Here's how it touched mine. It reminded me that my God, a God of hope and love, is with me where ever I go. Furthermore, I know that with God always at my side, I can make it through anything. Although many examples come to mind, I would like to conclude here by sharing a few verses that illustrate this point and helped me through this event. They serve to strengthen my faith in the Lord, which is central to who I am.
"Don't worry about anything; Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, And thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace"
~Philippians 4:6
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love"
~Romans 8:38-39
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
~1 Corinthians 10:13
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
~Jeremiah 29:11
Even if you are not a follower of Christ, always remember that multitudes of people surround you who love you and who would do anything for you. In times of need, do not hesitate to turn to them for support. That's what we're all here for: to support others.