Student Blog Written By: Isabel Ott, Fellows
I don’t think I will be able to comprehend how formative my time at Impact 360 was until viewing it from another season.
I can reflect to see how the Lord has reshaped my understanding of identity, seeping into so many other areas of growth for my good and His glory. Through every conversation, encouragement, book, session, emotion, and devotion that God used to reveal the truth of who He is and who He has created me to be, I am deeply grateful.
“I have the righteousness of Christ.” These words would have meant very little to me at the beginning of Impact 360. Yes, I would have agreed with the statement, but not understood that it applies to me daily. The Lord has taught me that placing my security in things of insufficiency cannot bring security. Elevating connection, ability, family, knowledge, and passions outside of the order of His supremacy and seeking them for fulfillment left me striving and in a cycle of shame as motivation to do better. Understanding the righteousness of Christ is a gift to me, freed me from this cycle and enlightened my mind to a new view of grace. Knowing there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or less, I was brought to a place of rest and reassurance of who he says I am. While I am still gleaning understanding of what it means to be “in Christ”, my joy strengthens as he establishes my beliefs.
Throughout these 9 months community has been a huge blessing. Specifically, during my time internationally, in Zimbabwe, the Lord used this unique community to increase my capacity for a relationship with Him. Beginning the semester, I had a low view of myself. Yet these people treated me in such a way that they combated all the lies in my head. This time established a new reception of the truth in my heart. They led me to the feet of Jesus, reminded me of his rejoicing love, and sought to know me. Experiencing the love of Christ tangibly for such a prolonged period of time brought healing to my mind. I have begun to learn how to guide myself to truth instead of dwelling on the lies of the enemy and how to let myself be known in order that Christ might be known in others and in me. The body of Christ is a gift from God that we must embrace as a way to flourish and live in His abundance amid the hard and hurt of the world.
I’m left thanking the Lord for all that he has done in my life and left sitting in awe of His beauty! How amazing it is that I can say I lack nothing. I am expectant to see how He continues to shape and reshape me to be like him in the next season of life.
We believe that when a student is rooted in truth, they become a catalyst for the Kingdom wherever they go. Help us continue to forge disciples who possess the resolve to stay faithful and the tools to make disciples. Your investment in the Multiply Fund makes this transformation possible.