Hallelujah, in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ, I bear testimony of His amazing love and mercy.
I began my undergraduate engineering degree at the University of Toronto a year ago. Looking back, the first year was indeed a great challenge. Besides the heavy workload and frequent exams throughout the semester, I had to adapt to a new environment: I was in a new, big city across the globe from my family and friends. Nevertheless, as a first-year student, I felt the grace of God guiding me through every step of the way.
Although I have prayed for the Holy Spirit since childhood, I only received Him a few years ago. Actually, God gave me His Spirit at a good time, for He knew the things I was about to endure.
When applying to universities, it was the first time in my life that I experienced such great uncertainty, not knowing where I would spend the next few years. I received an offer from my top choice school, but it was for a campus without a True Jesus Church nearby. As I shared this with a sister, she told me this was a test of faith in God: whether I would prioritize my will or God’s will. She also shared Isaiah 55:8 - “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. She advised me to humbly pray to God, truly asking Him to let me understand His will. That night, I prayed for a long time, pouring out my doubts and anxieties to Him. During the prayer, I was reminded of the story of Abraham and Lot, how Lot chose the land he desired, and Abraham received his land by the promise of God; Abraham was blessed abundantly while Lot later suffered the death of his wife. It was clear that I should submit to the will of God. By the end of that long prayer, I felt warmth, like someone hugging me, and I slept peacefully. The very next morning, I received an offer from the University of Toronto. It was an immediate response from God, and my family and I were overjoyed. We prayed and gave thanks to God for His great grace. Truly, the LORD will provide.
Finally, closing the chapter of uncertainty, I thank God that I was allowed to testify about my university application experience in the church in Malaysia before I flew to Canada.
[Hebrews 5:8 “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things He suffered.” ] I learned that we must endure these tests in our faith because only then can we truly learn obedience to God and perfect our faith.
Ahead of me posed new challenges. I was about to travel across the world, leave my home behind, and pursue an engineering degree (which many had warned me of its difficulty). Despite these scary thoughts, I felt peace in my heart, knowing He would surely guide me. [Psalm 23:4b “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”] There were some moments when I could not sleep on the plane during the long trip, but after listening to hymns, I felt peaceful and could sleep well. Even in the small moments, I experienced His comfort and love. I truly thank God that the transition to life in Canada went smoothly. I was warmly welcomed with love and care by the members of the Toronto church. Brothers and sisters brought me to buy winter clothing, and some even gave me theirs. May God remember their generous love and care. Later on during the school term, there were times when I would share how I was feeling overwhelmed in school with my parents. However, I realized they could not do much, and they only offered me advice. Thus, I could only rely on God. When I felt like the weight was too heavy for me to carry, I knelt and prayed, entrusting it all to Him. Time after time, He comforts me with warmth and gives me strength to go on.
[Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.]
The LORD is My Shepherd. Whether in Asia or North America, this big transition has taught me that God always guides us with His rod wherever we are, if we sincerely learn to be a good sheep of His, listening and following His voice (John 10:27). I shall not want anything in this life, for His grace is sufficient for me. Praise the LORD, Amen.
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