I'm one of those students who genuinely become excited when the hear "Missions Conference." I eagerly absorb the wisdom each speaker provides and crave the multiple worship sessions where I can encounter the Lord. However, this year was different. I actually sat during a worship session and barely remember anything each speaker said.

What caused this dramatic reversal? It wasn't the conference staff, theme, or logistics. The Student Missionary Union teams coordinated the conference very well and brought great speakers to campus. Despite their efforts, I almost walked away this week feeling unchanged and uninspired — that is, until King's Kaleidoscope sang "In Christ Alone" during the final session on Friday morning. I frequently sang this song as a church kid, yet my lips formed these words without carefully considering their meaning.

The tune holds so much power , yet several Christians do not realize it because they mindlessly sing the lyrics on screen or have become desensitized because they heard the song so many times. I'm one of those believers. On the other hand, the lyrics penetrated my apathetic heart and I almost fell on my knees because the Spirit moved me to tears.

I became very apathetic and numb this Missions Conference because I have dealt with an autoimmune illness, Gastrophic Esophageal Reflux Disease ( GERD) for the past year. My illness has become extreme and continues becoming more severe as the months progress. Thankfully, things started turning around in the last two months after I've obtained access to specialists that can help improve my health. However, this process will take quite a long time. As a result, I continue suffering through pain and have lost motivation to attend school and even stay alive on some days.

"In Christ Alone" reminded me that life on earth is fleeting — there is nothing new under the sun, as Solomon says — and that I can hope for a better future in heaven. In addition, God reminded me that I can find peace and refuge in him during my darkest days and that he will give me strength to climb the steepest mountains.

Each verse and chorus of the tune brought a new realization to my eyes.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

Like a lighthouse, he is a beacon of hope that stays steady when everything spirals out of control. and provides refuge from life's fiercest storms.

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Fear and striving to do everything apart from Christ often prevents us from sensing the Spirit's immense love and peace as our comforter. However, Christ welcomes us with open arms at the end of the day and loves us even when we forget how much he loves his children.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

We focus so much on our personal suffering that we forget Christ also suffered as a human being. People bruised, beat, scorned, and mocked him At the same time, he loves his Creation so much that he adopted each person who calls him Lord as eternal heirs in the Kingdom of God. This idea comforts my weary soul because I know God truly understands the pain I endure and weeps along with me.

'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

Christ's work on the cross justified our sins and gave us eternal life. Despite my the suffering I endure and how long I live, I can look forward to eternity in heaven with him. Even though I do not understand why I developed my illness, seek to glorify God in all aspects of my life

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Death resulted from sin. Christ redeemed me and I am his child, so I know he watches over and protects me. This truth becomes hard to believe on days when I can barely muster enough energy to walk, but God will renew my strength. He'll lift me up when I am weak. I'll run and not grow weary, walk and not become faint.

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Due to the power of Christ in us, we do not have to feel shame or fear death. I struggle with both of these on a daily basis. Shame overwhelms me because I feel like I cannot adequately glorify God and fulfill my calling when I develop an apathetic attitude toward life and lose passion for the things I love most. In addition, I wake up some days afraid that I may not live much longer because my condition worsens each week.

I hope God uses this hymn to impact others around the world and transform their lives in the same way it impacted mine. Go back and listen to the tune if you haven't heard it in a while — God may speak to you in powerful ways.