GODLY FRIENDSHIPS

Starting your University journey not knowing anyone is a scary thought. As a freshie, you will typically be invited to many different University camps and events to get to know other people in the same faculty or course. Most students will choose to go for pre-University camps which were mostly held in July or in the weekends. Back then, I also heard many stories about how University camps are party-like and wild and thought that going for them might put me in situations with temptations.

With that in mind, I resolved to not register for any of these camps and prayed to God that I would be able to make good and nice friends through other ways. I even told God in my prayers that even knowing one friend will be good enough for me! Following up, I also decided to register for Youth Theological Training Course (YTTC) in July.

God answered my prayers and opened a door for me.

I went for an open house for my course 3 months before the start of my Semester and sat next to a girl who later became a close friend in my entire University journey. Not long after, I also found out that a JC CCA friend was also in the same University course as me. I remembered feeling very happy and blessed because I do not need to worry about not knowing anyone before the start of University and really felt that this was a special arrangement by God for me.

SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS IN & OUT OF SCHOOL

In my University days, I also spent a lot of time with my fellow brothers and sisters from the same batch. I thank God for putting us together in the same University at the same period of time so that we can help each other in faith and studies. We chose to:

1. Take the same elective modules (highly recommend this if you have a chance to!) and often studied together, even in church sometimes

2. Support each other’s spiritual nurture and growth by having discussions on biblical topics, attending University Campus Fellowship (UCF) together and reminding each other to attend church services and activities even if it was a busy period.

Even after our University days, we remain now good friends in Christ and can always count on each other for support in faith and other life matters. Thank God!

^“Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

FOR US TO PONDER:

• Is there anyone I wish to spend more time with, or less time with? Can we identify reasons why someone may not be a good influence on us?

• Are there good habits I can start making with other University brethren to strengthen our faith together?