Dan Schuler
A Little Faith
I believe that faith can be for us a beacon of light in a sometimes dark and dismal world. It gives us something to believe in when we have nothing, and it lifts us up when we cannot possibly lift ourselves. For me, having faith is like the poem Footprints, in which a person, walking with God along a beach, looks back over the scenes of his life and realizes that in the most challenging times - those moments of total darkness and despair -there was only one set of footprints. He asks God how and why he was abandoned in those moments of greatest need. God responds, "It was then that I carried you."
With college graduation looming on the horizon, I have often felt overwhelmed in the last few weeks. There are so many possible paths before me and none of them is a clear choice. It seems that everyone I talk to wants to know where I will go and what I will do. Feeling a need to respond, I would give them a few possibilities and think to myself, "I have no idea." I used to worry about this, as I noticed friends that have known exactly what they wanted to do for several years and even some that have had jobs in place since the summer. Beyond not knowing where I would go or what I would do, responsibilities that took priority over contemplating this issue discouraged me further.
As I struggled with this, I was reminded of a similar time in my life just four years ago. As a senior in high school, many of my friends had decided on a school of choice and even a program of study by December or January. At that time, I wasn't even sure of where I wanted to apply. With applications piled high and no clear direction on which ones to pursue, I felt completely overwhelmed. School was in session, basketball season was in full swing, and application deadlines were looming on the horizon. I offered a small prayer for help one night before going to bed, saying, "God, I am putting this is your hands." The next day, miraculously, we had a snow day and I was able to write a few college essays. That gave me the confidence to believe that God would show me the right path and, just a few weeks later, Mercyhurst Football laid that path before me and I was excited to step forward.
That experience taught me that when I ask for help and invite God into my life, all of my anxiety can be washed away. I believe that any choice I make with a heart open to the promptings of the Spirit will form me into a better and more loving person. This confidence comes, simply and beautifully, from a little faith.
About Dan Schuler
Dan Schuler, MSG President for two years, is a Senior Mathematics major with a concentration in Secondary Education. He looks forward to a career that enables him to make a difference in our world, while also bringing satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment to his life. His personal goals are to spend more time building relationships with friends and family.
Regarding his favorite aspect of Mercyhurst, Dan states: "I love the people here. Everyone seems so warm and friendly that it is easy to think of Mercyhurst as a home. So many people are also very passionate about the school and its future. This is one thing that I have been able to notice on a continual basis working as MSG President."