5 Ways to Live a Christ-centered University Life
I personally find it hard to juggle between my identities: I am a student, and I am a follower of Christ. Many find this hard to reconcile too. When I look back into my journals, I find myself in a constant journey seeking my place in university as a Christian student. Nearing the end of my 4 years study in university, these are 5 things that helped me to live out an amazing, Christ-centered student life:
1. Study is our vocation
I understand this is odd coming from me, but yes, our academics and university involvement is our vocation. We are first called to be Christ's followers, and second to be a student. Our first and foremost testimony about God's goodness is the manifestation of God's blessing upon our academic excellence. Study is perhaps that one thing that helps us to relate to friends around us, therefore, being our utmost best in study helps to draw people towards us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 calls us to work for the glory of God, regardless of our position, occupation or role. So, study, all for the glory of God.2. Christ is our identity
Christ's followers are called to be "light of the world, city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). While it is commendable to behave well as a Christian, the Bible also calls us to carry Christ's banner as we live. We are called to visible as a Christian, that others may know that the God we worship and obey is the Lord. We are like a "lamp on a stand that gives light to all" (Matthew 5:15) in the campus. Like a curious moth drawn by the light, our curious friends will be drawn to us.
Therefore, be ready (Titus 3:1-11). Be well equipped in His Words, because 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to be ready for anyone "who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you". Live out a good testimony, establish a standard of integrity and reputation. That means we have to avoid plagiarism, cheating, dishonesty at all cost. We have to stand out to be different; do and say what is good, "so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:17)
3. God is our Master
God is the Master of our lives, therefore must be served and honored with utmost regards. Above the pressing need for meetings, assignments and projects, God shall come first. This is where we often fall short: to make it a point to our friends that our worship of God has an important place in our heart. This shall mean that my Sunday mornings are off limits for meetings and other activities. This shall mean that my Cell Group Meeting on Tuesday nights are not replaceable with overtime. This shall mean that my God is not replaceable by the promise of career promotion.
If we fail to start making God our principle priority in university, I'm afraid there's very little chance for us to start in the corporate world.
4. Church is our shelter
Waking up early to church on Sundays 7:00am can be a real bummer, especially after a long night of assignments and meetings the night before. But I realised that's exactly why we should wake up early for church. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to continue to stir one another for good work, and not neglecting to meet together.
Far away from home and family, the congregation of His followers can be your next best thing. After a long week of sleepless night, church is where we can find true rest through meditation, prayer and worship. Church must be a place where the worries of the world are far behind you because your Father in Heaven will take care of the rest.
Church is also the place where you find support and comfort. It is also where you can encourage and comfort another. Church is the place where your spirit is fed and where you find true satisfaction. It is also a place where you realign your goals and visions to be inline with God's.
Waking up early to church on Sundays 7:00am can be a real bummer, especially after a long night of assignments and meetings the night before. But I realised that's exactly why we should wake up early for church. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to continue to stir one another for good work, and not neglecting to meet together.Far away from home and family, the congregation of His followers can be your next best thing. After a long week of sleepless night, church is where we can find true rest through meditation, prayer and worship. Church must be a place where the worries of the world are far behind you because your Father in Heaven will take care of the rest.
Church is also the place where you find support and comfort. It is also where you can encourage and comfort another. Church is the place where your spirit is fed and where you find true satisfaction. It is also a place where you realign your goals and visions to be inline with God's.
5. Evangelism is our commission
The campus is basically a huge fishing pond. There are great opportunities around us waiting for us to share His love and salvation. Little chit-chat over lunch, in between lectures, the long walk back to hostel, a car pool to faculty, the break during football match and etc. The 4 ways aforementioned are the basic things to do to live a Christ-centered life, but they also establish a good foundation for us as evangelical students.
Evangelism often challenges us to move out of our comfort zone. It challenges us to read more and know more of His Word. It challenges us to be creative in order to create space and opportunities to share the gospel with our friends. It challenges us to stand out and to be different.
Evangelism starts from establishing friendships with our coursemates and classmates. Opening up channels for meaningful discussions can help launching the conversations into the gospel. The best way to start a conversation is to share our personal experience in church activities, mission trips and even our own salvation stories. These topics can help to put God into the perspective and hence opening an opportunity for His good news to be shared.
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To live a Christ-centered university life is a choice we can make because Christ enabled us. It is not going to be easy. It could mean that we have to be different, to be pressured by our peers, to be put in apparent disadvantage. But the good news is that we are not making this decision alone. God will be our Helper. The joy and satisfaction that Christ fills us is exceedingly more.
Our ultimate goal is Christ, nothing is sweeter than to see the face of God.
God's Character, My Encounter.
The campus is basically a huge fishing pond. There are great opportunities around us waiting for us to share His love and salvation. Little chit-chat over lunch, in between lectures, the long walk back to hostel, a car pool to faculty, the break during football match and etc. The 4 ways aforementioned are the basic things to do to live a Christ-centered life, but they also establish a good foundation for us as evangelical students.
Evangelism often challenges us to move out of our comfort zone. It challenges us to read more and know more of His Word. It challenges us to be creative in order to create space and opportunities to share the gospel with our friends. It challenges us to stand out and to be different.
Evangelism starts from establishing friendships with our coursemates and classmates. Opening up channels for meaningful discussions can help launching the conversations into the gospel. The best way to start a conversation is to share our personal experience in church activities, mission trips and even our own salvation stories. These topics can help to put God into the perspective and hence opening an opportunity for His good news to be shared.
~~
To live a Christ-centered university life is a choice we can make because Christ enabled us. It is not going to be easy. It could mean that we have to be different, to be pressured by our peers, to be put in apparent disadvantage. But the good news is that we are not making this decision alone. God will be our Helper. The joy and satisfaction that Christ fills us is exceedingly more.
Our ultimate goal is Christ, nothing is sweeter than to see the face of God.
God's Character, My Encounter.
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