January 13, 2004
Interim President Peter Wiebe
challenged Hesston College students to live transformed lives during
their time in college and beyond.
Addressing students at the opening
chapel of the Spring term Wednesday, Jan. 12, Wiebe reminded them
that the theme for the school year is transformation, with the theme
verse of Romans 12:1-2.
"God wants to do five things,"
Wiebe noted. "He offers to help you. All of us know we need a
great deal of help. God says, 'I am available in every situation and
circumstance.'"
"God wants your life as an
offering, a sacrifice," Wiebe said.
"That may be difficult,"
he continued, "but when you do, you can embrace all God has done
for you. He does his best for you.
"Fourthly, God says that
the best thing you can do is focus on me," Wiebe said. "It's
all about what God wants to do with your life.
"When you get life in focus,
you can count on God to be there, and you will experience a rich life,"
he said. "As faculty and staff, we want to join you to help you
find God's will for your life. It's all about the future God has designed
for you."
According to Wiebe, who admires
hockey player Wayne Gretzky, "Wayne once said that when he's
playing, he's always thinking how to position himself to be where
the puck will be next."
"We need to position ourselves
and think into the future," Wiebe said. "God wants us to
catch the vision of what he wants us to be. Then you can see what
you can contribute to this world with what you have been given."
"Finally," Wiebe concluded,
"God is asking that he may be there in your life so he can bring
out the best in you."