When I came to UCLA, I began looking for a fellowship to join, because I knew that I really wanted to grow in my faith in the Lord and not fall away in college. God sovereignly placed me at GOC (Grace on Campus) and into a small group. During my freshman year in college, I grew tremendously in my faith. First of all, I was humbled when I saw the believers around me. At first I thought that I had a pretty strong faith and that I was a mature believer, but I realized that I had to grow in many ways. I learned the importance of not just reading God's Word but really studying it. I also was reminded of the importance of the Bible and how the Christian faith depends so much on God's Word. Without it, we would have no faith. God also opened my eyes to predestination and the doctrine of election. At first I was really hesitant on what I believed in, but then I realized that God's Word has the final say. After studying various passages in Scripture, I came to the conclusion that God's grace is what saves us, and it's only by His sovereign power that people become believers. It wasn't until I came to GOC that I heard such a clear presentation of the gospel. I still believe that God saved me when I was in 5th grade, but during these several years, God continued to sanctify, grow, and shape me into the person that He desires me to be.
During my second year at UCLA, I found out my mom had colon cancer, so I took a quarter off of school. It was a difficult decision for me, because I was worried about my education, finances, and housing. God totally opened my eyes to what was really important in life. I was reminded that God is faithful and will provide for me. What was really important was not school, money, and a place to live but was spending time with my mom. My mom passed away in January 2007, and that quarter at home was a time of deep growth in the Lord. I learned the importance of praying in faith and truly believing that God had the power to do anything He desired to do. I was also extremely encouraged by all the prayers that God used to comfort me. Family and friends from Sacramento, LA, and all over the world prayed for me. This reminded me of how the body of Christ is universal, and God is such a bigger God than I realize. God used my mother's death to direct my heart back onto God and my thoughts back onto eternity. I was reminded of how one day all believers will be resurrected with glorified bodies and will worship God forever. The earthly treasures that this world offers pale in comparison to the riches we will have in heaven! I thank God for my mom's faithfulness in encouraging my brother and me to attend church and to keep God as our number one priority. Looking back, I can see how God has saved me, shaped me, and brought me to where I am today. I praise God for His amazing grace that was showered onto me.
That is why I believe in God.