Post by: Jillian Schinzing
My name is Jillian Schinzing, and I am a third-year student staff member with the Center for Global Justice. Over the course of this past spring semester, I’ve been working on a project for Alliance Defending Freedom International (ADF). The project my team and I have worked on analyzed how hate speech is defined across various jurisdictions. I was assigned to research constitutions, penal codes, and Supreme Court cases in India and Nepal. The purpose of this research is to provide ADF with resources to advocate for those whose voices are being silenced. Many countries, including India and Nepal, have strict laws limiting the types of speech that they deem appropriate. Much of this silenced speech includes that of the religious communities and includes varying forms of persecution.
I have been so thankful to have had the opportunity to work as a student staff member with the center for the past two years. Much of the reason I came to law school, and to Regent Law, is to work in the area of international human rights. I want to dedicate my life to being a voice for the voiceless, seeking justice and loving mercy.
In light of graduation, I have been reflecting on the faithfulness and goodness of God. I’ve been reflecting on the reason I came to law school and the call I feel God has placed on my life. I’ve been reflecting on these past three years and the hardships I’ve encountered. I have been challenged, encouraged, and grown in so many ways. Along with that growth has come what felt like failure. But the Lord has constantly reminded me that even “when we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). He is good and He is for us. When we transition into different seasons of our lives, as I’m about to do, remembrance is so important.
The Lord constantly commanded the Israelites to remember, remember how the Lord brought them out of Egypt, supplied manna in the desert, and eventually brought them the Messiah. Deuteronomy 5:15 says, “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm…” When we commune together, scripture says “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:17-20).
Remembrance allows us to reflect on where we’ve been, how we got to where we are, and where we’re going. I don’t know what is next for me, but I do know where I came from and how the Lord brought me this place I am now. I remember, reflect, and praise him for his faithfulness. I am thankful, blessed, and loved by the God of the universe. I pray that this post reminds you to reflect on the goodness of the father and to thank him for what he’s done, is doing, and will do.
This post was written by a Center for Global Justice Student Staff member. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.