Morwenna // 2nd Year // French and Spanish

I always vaguely assumed that because my parents were Christians, I must be one as well. As I grew up, I held onto this label but was not by any stretch of the imagination living up to what a 'Christian' life might look like, instead choosing to pursue my own whims or attempt to impress other people. Once I started uni this became more extreme - freshers week and the following weeks were a blur of nights out and trying to fit in.

Meanwhile, I met some Christian students and was overwhelmed by the love they showed towards me but felt completely out of place, calling myself a Christian but feeling completely unable to live up to that label. I was a fraud in every way, presenting different sides of myself to different people to try and make them like me.

But amazingly, despite seeing my true human failure and weakness, God never gave up on me. As my first year of uni progressed I realised just how in need of God and his forgiveness I was. But this is forgiveness that I can now confidently say I have received, regardless of what I have done - for it is not by my deeds that I am saved but by his grace. I may still be tempted to seek validation from other people, but I don't have to prove myself to God because all that matters is that he loves me unconditionally. So much so that he sent his son to die for my sins in order that I could be saved. Knowing this has changed my life and set me free, providing me with hope every day.