Name: Deven Rodriguez
Title: Student, Class of 2020
Department/College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Scripture of the Day: Jer 20:10–13; Ps. 18; Jn 10:31–42
As I read the scripture for today, I was particularly drawn to the first reading, which comes from JER 20:10–13. The reading says, “The Lord is with me like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.” This was so impactful because we all go through arduous times in life. Whether it be in school, in a relationship, or within our family, there will constantly be “persecutors” in our life.
As a young boy, I was bullied relentlessly for six years. I would come home depressed and lay down on my bed and say, “God, why me? Why are you putting me through this?”
As I look back at the situation now, however, I recognized that the Lord was with me as my mighty champion every step of the way. People tried to break me mentally, physically, and most of all, emotionally. However, as this reading says, they stumbled and did not triumph. I did.
I am a big believer that nothing happens to us; it happens for us. That is something I have always said to myself in the hardest of times. However, I can only believe that with certainty because I truly feel as if God is my mighty champion. He is the one who lights the way; we just have to stay the course, which is easier said than done. With God as our mighty champion, we will prevail.