The Book of all Books by Yousif

The Book of all Books by Yousif - October 2023 Scholarship Essay

An ancient, moral, and poetically romantic book, proclaimed as the greatest story ever told. Not just a book; but covenants, narratives, poems, letters, all in one, which have not only transformed my life, but continues to do so for generations after it. Advising us on many topics and addressing the most inquiring questions, from the origins of our universe to the purpose of our lives, offering answers that satisfy and stand apart from the conflicting philosophies. The joyful news and teachings are nearly contagious, lifting spirits and our morality, affecting how we live our lives and view and treat others. The message made since the beginning of time and companioned with God, is God. This is the Bible, focused on Jesus Christ and our relationship with God. The Bible is a transformative force in my life, guiding me in search for identity and notable virtue, providing hope during times of agonizing isolation, instilling humility by exposing human sinfulness, revealing the truth of my purpose, and dispelling darkness, hatred, selfishness, and vengeful desires. It shows the superior power of love and the word of God against evil, offering the ultimate spiritual weapons. Through its teachings, I’ve found solace, worth, and freedom from the chains of addiction, and intimacy with God, reaffirming the benevolence of God in my life. However, I didn’t choose this book; it chose me.
Raised in a Chaldean-Catholic family, I already knew about the faith, though not about the Bible. In my Junior year, I was at my lowest, enduring demanding classes that had a toll on my mental and physical well-being. Isolated from school, friends, and the comfort of my home, I’d constantly measure my struggles against the joys of others. I was resentful over the circumstances in my life, grieving the gap between my reality and dreams, and questioning my personality and desires. I remember myself one day searching my room and discovering a small New Testament Bible with emergency verses. Opening it for the first time, I had a surge of unfamiliar hope, as if God was speaking to me directly. Intrigued by its teachings, it became the foundation of my life. I formed a relationship with God and found solace and counsel in His Word. I committed 5 chapters daily to strengthen this relationship and worked to embody the qualities of Jesus Christ: love, selflessness, humility, compassion, work ethic, solitude, faith. etc. No longer alone, I found hope in someone who has gone through, but overcame suffering. Many prettify His message, but it’s a horror to me; Mankind has committed the greatest sin, to “kill” God, yet we’ve gained the greatest blessing; salvation. I had to sacrifice things if I wanted to love God more than anything else. Initially, I struggled to break free from excessive gaming for hours on end, but I soon found greater delight, meaning, and health in studying His Word and engaging in wise, productive activities. I quickly left gaming altogether. Wrestling with my lustful desires, I persevered in months of failure, forgiveness, prayer, learning, resisting, and choosing God over myself. His immense trust and love in me, despite my unworthiness when failing to represent His values, had me wanting to please Him. God was a friend who spoke the truth, even when it's painful. Overcoming pride, sloth, impulsiveness, hatred, judgment, and envy wasn't easy, but I embraced virtues like patience, humility, and acknowledged God’s special plans for each of us. One remarkable verse I read was: “love your enemies", which I made an effort to apply whenever an opportunity arose. We may get furious over small things: not feeling prioritized, disliking others, or feeling used. To find humility, I served others, let go of grudges, responded with divine love, and ceased internal judgments when I realized that I, too, am judged by both God and people. An interpretation says, “Even though we are what we think about, we aren’t always what we think we are.” In a court, individuals are punished for immoral crimes. However, there’s another court, led by a wise, fair, and righteous God, meant to exercise justice when individuals commit hidden sins. One court offers many chances at life, one doesn’t, because Christ paid the price for our wrongdoings, and trusts in change, both in what you think and what you are. Discipling others remains a challenge, given different views, but my journey inspires my younger sister, drawing her toward faith in Christ. Together, we find our identity in Him, returning to God together.
The mysteries of the Bible have me eager to study God’s Word in the world. I observe personal experiences, prophecy, archaeological findings and historical accounts of people, kingdoms, events, and geographics to find correlations. Even interpretation of cognitive topics, like academic subjects. The probability of life and nature in science is uniquely low, despite our knowledge of the different systems and cycles of nature. In math, it’s extraordinary to have paradoxes and infinite possibilities within a universe scientists call “finite”... Many blur the influence of the Bible in society and ethics. Historical social movements, like Quakers denouncing slavery in the American colonies as early as the 1750s, MLK Jr.’s peaceful speeches, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s civil rights protests during the March on Washington, aren’t recognized. The Bible also addresses individual worth and dignity, care for the poor, the values of family, stewardship, and voluntary servitude.