by Whitney David
If you’re looking to begin your university life on the right foot, OYP has an answer for you – Kickstart 2019! Kickstart is a two day, one night retreat catered to incoming freshmen for both local and overseas universities. It aims to provide a platform for university students to get to know the Catholic communities in the local universities as well as the greater Catholic community in Singapore. I would never have imagined how my one tiny yes to going for Kickstart 2018 as a participant could impact both my faith and university life so greatly. A simple but crucial question to ask yourself is “Where has God been in my life?”. Through my small “yes”, Jesus was able to take His rightful place in my life – the center.
Are you entering university this year? Here are 3 signs that it may be a good time for you to sign up for Kickstart 2019!
1. You desire to grow deeper in your faith.
The last camp you attended was your confirmation camp and ever since then, your faith has been on a downward spiral. Sound familiar? If so, perhaps this is the time to take a leap of faith in giving Him the time and space to speak to you. Amidst our hectic schedules or finally being freed from the frustrations of army, perhaps you may be questioning that there must be something more than just living day to day. It’s easy to get swept away in the secularism of the world, especially so when entering university. Without devoting time and space to God to allow Him to work in my life, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Kickstart provides a much-needed retreat from this hustle to dedicate a mere two days to God. “For the Lord promises you that He will fight for You; You need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). As I entered Kickstart, I found myself desiring a deeper relationship with the Lord. Throughout the course of the two days, I was blessed to be able to encounter Him so intimately through the sessions, adoration and every sharing I had.
2. You desire to get to know the Catholic community in university.
Entering a foreign and secular environment is never easy, let alone, finding individuals with similar values and beliefs. However, Kickstart allows you to meet individuals who desire the exact same thing as you – to grow closer to God. Through Kickstart, you will be able to meet the Catholic community in all local universities, the individuals who you may be journeying closely with through your entire university life.
Through Kickstart, I was introduced to the SMU Catholic Community, FIDES. I can’t say that my first year in university has been smooth sailing but what I can say is that the presence of FIDES, in my university life has lightened the load of the many trials that have come my way. Through the smiles along the corridor and the numerous comforting conversations about Christ, university life is a journey I am thankful to be on with FIDES.
3. You desire to prepare yourself spiritually for university life.
Confused, fearful and uncertain. These are few of the many feelings you may have about what the future holds. I found entering university one of the most daunting times of my life. However, through Kickstart, I was able to better understand what the next four years of my life would hold through interacting with seniors. At Kickstart, the Lord revealed to me how I needed to surrender all my fears and need for control and instead to trust in His plan for me. “For the Lord knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29: 11). Though the trials of university are inevitable, Kickstart allows you to begin building a strong foundation on God, knowing that through it all, He will never abandon you.
If any of these sentiments resonate with you, the Lord invites you today to be strong and take courage, not to be afraid of taking that leap of faith by saying “yes” to Him! “Trust in the Lord that He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31: 6). Will you allow Jesus to take His rightful place in your life?
