I never wanted to go to CSUSM. I went kicking and screaming—all the while praying for an alternative, any alternative.  

As a recovering perfectionist and an avid planner, I had figured out my five year plan and even my ten year plan.  For years, my catchphrase has been the following: In the absence of forethought, there often exists an abrupt cascade of all things unsavory. It makes sense if you think about it.  I knew which school I would go to, who I would marry, what I would do for a career and everything in between—all laid out on a neat little timeline . But God had other plans, San Marcos plans.

I wanted to go to seminary to study theology and the Bible. Near the end of junior college, I began to hunt for seminaries, yet every door inexorably closed before I could even knock. I swear I heard a restrained chuckle behind each door as I hopelessly crashed into it a moment too late. In any case, this door-smashing was taking a toll on my spiritual health. Having convinced myself that God did not want me to go to CSUSM, I couldn’t understand why my chances at going to seminary were quickly dwindling. So I finally decided to do what people who believe in God do when they don’t know what else to do: pray.

I started talking to God, and then He started talking to me. Imagine that. I asked Him what the deal was, and He asked me to be content with whatever His will was—even if that meant going to CSUSM. He also reminded me to simply delight in doing His will whatever it may be (Psalm 40:8). Reluctantly, I agreed because, well you know, He’s God.

Fast-forward a couple years, and here I am at, you guessed it, Cal State San Marcos. I’m attending a completely different school, planning to marry an entirely different girl and going down an absolutely different career path than I had originally planned. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The professors that I have studied under have been nothing short of exemplary, and I count myself privileged to share in their knowledge. But more than that, the friends I have made here are some of the most amazing, intelligent, humorous, inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure of doing life with—academic life to be exact. CSUSM is home.

It’s funny, really, when you discover that what God said was true all along. Evidently, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT). Lesson learned, God; Thy will be done.