By Xinzhi, United States
Some time ago, the immigration office notified me to take U.S. Citizenship test after two weeks. At this news, I couldn’t help feeling a little worried, for I needed to memorize a fund of information and it would be very difficult for me to pass the test based on my poor education and memory. However, I thought: “My fate is in the hands of the Lord and is beyond my control. Where I will live and work at what time is determined by Him. Despite my desire to pass the test, the result can’t be controlled by me. That’s because the process and the result of everything won’t change according to my will but depend on the Lord’s predestination. Therefore, my worries are in vain. What I should do is practice according to the Lord’s words—letting go of my plan and desire, and entrusting everything to the Lord. I believe the Lord will help me.”
At the thought of this, I prayed to the Lord in my heart, “O Lord, I’m willing to entrust my immigration interview to You, and I’ll try my best to prepare for it. Whether I can get it is based on Your rule and preordination. No matter what the result will be, I’ll thank and praise You.” After this prayer, I felt much calmer and less pressured.
Afterward, I began to receive the training. On the first day, the lawyer asked me to memorize the necessary information for the test. Despite my painstaking efforts, I still failed to remember it. As a result, when the lawyer asked me the questions, I couldn’t answer any of them. The next day, the lawyer asked me to learn the information off in a small quiet room. Looking at the materials in my hands, I was somehow unable to quiet my heart, and I did have trouble remembering the information. So, at the conclusion of the training, I still couldn’t give answers to the lawyer’s questions. Seeing this, the lawyer helplessly shook his head and said, “Trust to luck.” At his words, I didn’t feel very sad, for I had tried my best. I was willing to entrust the result of the test to the Lord, and obey His arrangements.
On the day of my interview, I was very calm, not nervous at all. During the interview, the two immigration officials asked me in great detail, and I tripped up on some questions. Besides, as my interpreter’s English wasn’t very good, sometimes he couldn’t accurately translate my words. As a result, those immigration officials couldn’t have a full understanding of my answers. It was over four hours before the interview ended.
On the way home, my interpreter said, “It’s very special. Generally, there is only an immigration official in the interview, but there were two officials this time. The interview usually lasts less than two hours, but it took more than four hours this time. They asked a lot of questions, and I failed to translate some of your answers distinctly. So, you may fail the test.” At his words, I didn’t hold onto any hope, either. I thought: “I’ve done my utmost. I’ll still thank and praise the Lord even if I fail the test.”
After two weeks, I got the result and it turned out that I passed the test, which gave me a big surprise. At that moment, I felt very excited. I kept thanking and praising the Lord in my heart, for I knew it was all the Lord’s grace and blessing. I thought: “It’s unimaginable! The Lord is too wondrous!” Just as it says in the Bible, “Is any thing too hard for Jehovah?” (Genesis 18:14). “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
Through this experience, I had more faith in the Lord because I saw everything changes according to the Lord’s thoughts and is determined by Him. When I sincerely relied on and looked up to Him, He not only bestowed me with spiritual peace and stability, but also guided and helped me with His almighty hand. As stated in the Bible, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). So, we should be careful for nothing, return to our spirit in everything, and tell the Lord of our difficulties. Then the Lord will illuminate and guide us, dispel our worries, and bestow us with peace and joy. Thank and praise the Lord!
