Under the heat of SoCal sun, I walked around my lush green campus, with each step recalling what it was like and what has changed since 1.5 years ago as a student.
I used to rush out from my dorm room to workout 8 AM at UFC gym. Then rushed back for 9 AM chapel, before heading to Sociology or Bible class. The library was my go-to while sipping in iced Latte from Common Grounds or Heritage Cafe. When the nighttime comes, it was either Froyo runs, Target runs, or hanging out at a friends’ room. Life was simple.
As I was recalling the good ol’ days of writing research papers, praying for the world with friends and attending Missions conference, I was drawn to visit Talbot Prayer room—a dim, solitary place on Campus designated for prayers. A place I rarely visit.
I bursted into tears once I kneeled on the pew, staring at the center piece of the room—a wooden cross. God met me where I was.
The still small voice nudged,
The 2.5 years you have had in Biola is enough to prepare you for the next 20 years of your life. You have been taught the art of spiritual disciplines, so continue to set daily rhythms of prayer, sabbath, and learning.
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
- Isaiah 43:18-19
DO YOU NOT SEE IT?
The paper becomes the road. The pen becomes the path you choose to take.
The annual Missions conference becomes your daily missions.
The teaching become your grounds for preaching.
Just as I led you today to this prayer room, newness can be beautiful too.
LA and its people will always be so dear, and I professed back, “Lord, If this longing be to stay, may it draw me to spread the beauty of this place to the darkest places around the world.” Looking back, life isn’t as simple, but I sure am more positioned to reach the needy around the world for Christ.
Before I greeted back the sunlight, I stood at the door reading my charge,
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” - Jude 1:24-25 (NASB)
This heart of learning He plants. This spirit of His He stored. This body of mine He prepared for His Kingdom come. I am planted not buried.
As for you too, now that newness is not a bad thing. There is grace in the race. and do you now know that seasons change but His mercy remains.
May we be Like a tree, strong feet, deep roots, bearing fruit in its season, as we meditate upon His Word day and night (Ps. 1)
X,
Tam
He has taught me to renew my mind, my heart & my strength so that I can live in God’s purpose for me. With a year older, I am a lot less naive and a lot more hopeful still. There’s one thing that never left me, that is wonder. For all this year has to unveil, here is my prayer to the Lord: