Track Record of God’s Faithfulness

At the start of this school year, I was talking with a good friend. I told him about some fear and uncertainty I was feeling around a rocky friendship as we were coming back to Covenant. With a little cheekiness and lots of kindness, my friend said, “Mac, from what you have told me, it sounds like the Lord has been really faithful to you in this. He will probably keep being faithful to you.” He affirmed that since I have seen Jesus’s faithfulness, I can continue to trust in Him. Since then, I have been reflecting on how the Lord has been developing a “track record” of His faithfulness in my life and at Covenant. In my fears, joys, brokenness, friendships, and studies, Jesus continues over and over again to show me the power of his love and grace.

Faithfulness in Academics

My academics at Covenant have been challenging as a pre-engineering major. My faculty have done a great job in their technical teaching and have also shown a lot of care for their students. When I meet with Dr. Stern, my academic advisor, to discuss a test or scheduling, we always talk about engineering at first, but the conversation consistently steers to how I am doing. I have felt really cared for when he asks about how I am handling the stress of academics, and then shares about his experience. I have also appreciated Dr. Stern’s humble faithfulness in his teaching. Faith integration with subjects like thermodynamics can be a stretch, so instead, Dr. Stern often shares his reflections on who God is and His faithfulness to us. Dr. Stern lets his students see his walk with the Lord and demonstrates faithful living in the STEM field.

With how difficult engineering can be, some of my favorite classes each semester actually end up being from the core curriculum. Old and New Testament, Cultural Heritage of the West, and Christian Doctrine have been incredibly refreshing and inspiring courses in my studies. The biblical and philosophical framework of these courses has shaped the way I understand my work in STEM, and I don’t know if I would still be studying engineering if it were not for the core. In these courses, I grew convicted of the selfishness of my career mindset and yet affirmed in how engineering can be a true and good part of God’s kingdom work. These courses have also inspired me to be a faithful member of the Church and the layman's ministry that all believers are called to.

Faithfulness in Leadership

I have had the opportunity to work in admissions and residence life at Covenant. It has been great to see the culture and faithful heart that drives the work in admissions, a department that could fall into the trap of cold analytics and numbers-based performance. In our work, we were encouraged to primarily see, love, and care for the guests who visit us, even when our job is to advocate for Covenant.

I have also been so encouraged by the vision, faithfulness, and love of our leadership in residence life. Our leaders really value the work of residence life and opportunities for the grace of Jesus that come with it. They have done a great job of inviting us into that exciting work while also reminding us that it is God’s work, and we must rely on His Holy Spirit in it. As my resident director, Stephen Dillon, would say, “We are not the King, but we serve the King!”

In my time as a resident assistant, I have been reminded of the simple truth that Covenant is real, in that this is a place where we students are learning to confront reality. I have encountered the fullness of pain, sin, and regret in myself and with the guys on my hall, seeing familial brokenness and death, conflicts, insecurities, injuries, failed relationships, and fearful doubts. I have also seen us share true joy, worship, prayer, and fun stories. We each carry our own rich and messy story with us. 

A Real Place

I want to affirm that, despite this brokenness, the Lord is really growing and directing the students who pass through Covenant. After these years, I know that the Holy Spirit has shaped my heart to know and love God, people, and creation more, and to faithfully follow Him more. I have also had the joy of seeing my friends encounter Jesus and His healing gospel in a new and beautiful way. It was not just the Bible or chapel departments that made that happen, but Covenant as a whole allowed the Lord’s work in my friends and me. Covenant is building the church and sending its members into the fine arts, STEM, ministry, business, and more. In this imperfect, real place, the Lord continues to build His “track record” of faithfulness to us!