Therefore We Do Not Lose Heart

With the spring semester at Collegiate coming to a close, a few of our students and alumni have taken the time to reflect on the past month and the effect online learning and social distancing has had on them. Though plans have changed and the semester looks different than we thought it would, we can still live in the truth that God is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

In this month’s newsletter Kieraney, CSM Class of 2016, shares her experience and a vision of hope for the CSM Class of 2020.

I am currently a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is truly hard to believe that my time at UT is coming to an end, but I have enjoyed Rocky Top, and I will never forget my experience. During this time, I became a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, led as a Bible study leader with Cru, and volunteered with a children’s ministry. While my time at UT has been so rewarding, it has been hard adjusting to the reality of not being able to enjoy my final moments of senior year. 

If I were giving advice to the CSM Class of 2020, I’d say:  “You did it! Regardless of what may come, your accomplishment is amazing and something to be proud of. Your hard work is not in vain, and the Lord has a purpose for your pain. Many of our distractions have been taken from us, so I want to encourage you all to seek the Lord out during this uncertain time. I hope this scripture can be of comfort to you, ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’ 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18”