Have you ever thought of what being a Christian in university looked like? What does the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, look like for HKU students today?
Today, one of our student leaders Shyer Wern, shares about some of her wonderful journey to us.
Shyer Wern is a second year medicine student studying at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). She is a happy grandma in the making, who loves knitting, crocheting (if you know what that is!), enjoys baking, and has a cute 3 year-old Shih Tzu named Kai – the same age as Shyer Wern herself! (Fun fact: 1 dog year is equivalent to roughly 7 human years).
Born in Malaysia, Shyer Wern grew up in Singapore and came to Hong Kong in 2019 in the midst of the city’s social unrest before the pandemic took place. Here, she found her way into the university ministry, ICF (International Christian Fellowship) and was then also connected to Watermark Community Church.
What’s it like to be at HKU? In the hustle and bustle of HKU, students are competitive in striving for the best and GPAs are like treasures to be both attained and maintained, to guarantee a road to security and success. Academic pressure is the climate of the school’s main library and felt by many throughout their university life.
How does knowing Christ help you while studying? I’m comforted by the presence of God himself, because I know that this is not all that there is. I know that I am not alone in my journey. I have the God of the universe walking with me day by day, second by second. This is the same God I can personally call out to for help and call “Abba” Father.
At HKU, many people try to gather as much as they can to secure their futures. Yet, even when I cannot control much of how futures may play out, I know God will take care of me. I don’t have to fight with others and compete for my own identity or security. Rather, my life is fully in the hands of a sovereign and gracious God which means even the mundane and everyday things of life have meaning. Many people are studying at HKU because they have to, but I can ask God how He wants me to glorify him in my studies and how God wants to grow me through this.
My life is fully in the hands of a sovereign and gracious God - which means even the mundane and everyday things of life have meaning.
What struggles do you face? There’s a lot of pressure and uncertainty at university but I know the same may be true even further down the line of adulthood as I come to choose what I want to do in life.
One verse that has really encouraged me is: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
There are still big questions and struggles in life to face, including what to do for the rest of my life after studying. I feel daunted by having to decide whether I still want to do medicine later on. It’s a lot of work and a very long-commitment. I’m a long way from my family in Singapore. University is the first time I’ve been away from home and living alone. Sometimes it can be lonely. This year, for the first time, I had to spend many holidays without family – and they’re the people I cherish most dearly.
How does Jesus help you in that? I can bring my feelings to God honestly for He understands what I’m going through. I know God doesn’t promise life will be all sunshine and roses, but Jesus is a Saviour who knows me and loves me and always will be with me. His dying on the cross for me brings real comfort.
There are still big questions and struggles in life to face, but I can bring my feelings to God honestly. He understand what I'm going through.
What role does ICF play in your life? I have seen God’s graciousness and faithfulness at work even through ICF. We talk about struggles honestly and support each other in our university and faith journeys.
We also laugh together over McDonald’s ice cream and jam together. I’m so grateful for this community that has helped me integrate into Hong Kong better and just having a group of friends to pray with.
How do you seek to share your faith? I try and encourage non-Christian friends who are also struggling and I spend time with them, reminding them that they don’t need to struggle alone. I also try and remind them that there is more to life than what we see and experience now. There is more to life than what we are struggling with. There is a God who cares for us, knows us, suffered for us, is walking with us in our suffering now, and will one day receive us into glory.
There is more to life than what we see and experience now. There is more to life than what we are struggling with.
Overall, a verse that really speaks to me is: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
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