God Knows

Growing up, I never imagined myself as a teacher or professor.

I always dreamed of being an architect, which I did and enjoyed until my husband and I decided to move to the United States of America so he could study to become a pastor. To make a long story short, after fourteen years at Andrews University, my husband and I returned to Brazil as theology professors with our doctorate and master’s degrees, ready to teach religion to university students. The first year of teaching was challenging, learning how to deal with students, the system, and class preparation. There were many rough days, but one stood out as especially hard. The students seemed indifferent and defiant. It seemed my teaching was making no difference. To make matters worse, the online platform I used for this class was not working properly. The next day I seriously considered whether I should continue as a religion professor or transition back to architecture. I prayed, asking God to send me some encouragement because the situation had become very difficult. In that particular class, I was teaching about a Christian worldview. The goal of this class was to explore the controversy between Jesus and Satan. Later that day, I gave the students an exam. After finishing the exam, a student asked to talk with me. She wanted to let me know she had begun the semester as a non-Adventist, even though her entire family was Seventh-day Adventist. But after reading the assigned chapters of The Great Controversy, she realized that everything now made sense in her life.

She also mentioned how my classes had helped her to further understand the world. She said she had chosen to become a Seventh-day Adventist.

She was experiencing conversion! I was in awe.

My heart was full of joy and gratitude to God for two reasons.

First, a young woman understood the great controversy and its implications for her life and decided to be part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Second, God had heard my silent prayer and used this student to show His love and care for me. How I love being a professor of religion! And this same God wants to show His love and care for you!

Carina Prestes