My spiritual journey:
>I believe that your view on spiritual things is very important because it effects your decisions in life. It will decide for you what career you will pursue, what kind of relationships you will enter and nurture, and how your life will be after you graduate.
You develop many patterns while you are a student and I believe what you do now will determine who you are in the future.
>Like for many other students, my family, my career, having fun, making the "right" friends and being in the "in" crowd were important to me. With these as my priorities, I based all my decisions on being popular, winning the favor of my family, and obtaining pleasure. Once I had their approval or had their friendship, I was secure and confident.
>Through a time of trials, I thought more about my purpose in life and discovered it through those tough times. Before, my purpose was to get through university and to secure a good career. But that purpose shifted to see what God wanted in my life and ultimately, how I can serve God to the best of my abilities.
>I grew up going to church so I thought of God as always there, but not directly influencing me. Jesus was just a story figure that I learned each Sunday morning.
It was at a youth camp that I first encountered Jesus. I was outside the comfort of home and I had to really rely on him. The Bible became real to me, as God's words speaking to me. I was challenged to live a life for Him and not just for show.
>My faith has enabled me to let go of stress. Once I knew my identity in Christ, I wasn't expending all my energy on getting good grades or worrying about networking with industry employers to secure myself a job. I knew God is sovereign and has the best plan for my life.
>I was to become a great accountant, but somewhere on the way God changed my heart. As I saw God change lives around me for the better, the appeal of sitting behind a desk to hack away at numbers lessened. Through a lot of prayer and just talking with God and listening to him, I realized I'd come to wanting to work full time for him instead.
>Having a personal relationship with God is the most exciting life you can have. I remember dreading the life an accountant (sitting behind a desk or gathering papers to do audits), but living for God can take you anywhere in the world. God has great plans for us and that means facing tough challenges and experiencing great rewards.
>There is no greater joy or sense of satisfaction than having a relationship with God. God has placed eternity in the hearts of the human race and we cannot satisfy that urge to be filled except with Jesus.
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