“In Christ Alone” is one of my favorite hymns of all time. Whenever I sing this hymn, it reminds me of a time in my life when I truly had no one else to rely on but Christ.
I grew up in Uganda and as I was finishing high school, I struggled with making a decision on where to go for college. I really wanted to attend university in Uganda, but a small part of me was ready for something different. So I went ahead and applied to colleges in the U.S. and decided to go to John Brown University in Arkansas.
The Fall of 2011 marked the beginning of my college journey. I left the country that I had called home for so long and moved across the globe. I didn’t realize how hard that was going to be until a week after classes had started and I began feeling homesick. I missed my family and friends who were back home. I struggled with adapting to a new culture. I felt so different. I hated the fact that I had to start a new life all over again and I struggled with finding friends that I could relate to.
Throughout that semester, I felt so alone. Up until that point, my relationship with the Lord was not intimate or personal. However, during that season of loneliness and homesickness, I began to draw closer to God because He was all I had. I spent a lot of time crying out to Him, constantly asking for things to get better. God taught me so much about Himself and what it means to have an intimate relationship with Him. He taught me to rely on Him in all seasons of life and of the difference putting my hope in Him can make.
One verse that really encouraged me was Psalm 42:5. This verse was a great reminder for me to hope in God alone in all seasons, especially whenever I felt sad and alone.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Have you ever felt like you had no one else to rely on but Christ? Are you going through any transition in your life that’s making you feel downcast? If so, my prayer is that you would find your hope in Christ alone.
Meet the author!
Krista Musiime lived in Uganda for more than half her life before moving to the States. She works as an engineer and during the weekends enjoys being a part of the children's ministry at Council Road Baptist Church. Krista is a lover of the outdoors, hot beverages, dancing and spending time with family and friends.