{"id":23889,"date":"2023-03-21T05:16:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T05:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&p=23889"},"modified":"2023-03-17T17:51:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T17:51:53","slug":"wake-up-calls-and-new-perspectives","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/wake-up-calls-and-new-perspectives\/","title":{"rendered":"Wake-up calls and new perspectives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted and borders re-opened, students in Singapore have spent the last few months strengthening their faith through in-person camps and retreats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In late December, students from five universities across Singapore travelled to neighbouring Malaysia for SWAT, which stands for Studying the Word All Together. This Bible camp was jointly organised by students from the National University of Singapore Varsity Christian Fellowship (NUS VCF) and Nanyang Technological University Christian Fellowship (NTU CF). After two years of online camp, students were excited to come together in person and be challenged by this year\u2019s theme: Preparing for the King’s Return<\/em>, taken from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThe theme talks were a good reminder – and wake-up call – of whether I\u2019m ready for Jesus\u2019 second coming, and if I have been intentional in engaging in the Christian communities God has placed me in,\u201d shared Tricia Khaw Jing Xuan, a first-year business administration student.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Tricia was one of 128 students who attended the six-day camp, during which participants heard from an expert speaker who unpacked 1 Thessalonians. But the highlight for many students was the richness of delving into the Scriptures with their small groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWhat impacted me the most,\u201d reflected Tricia, \u201cwas hearing my group sharing about the topics covered like rapture and grief, preparing for Jesus\u2019 return, and the salience of the Christian community in today\u2019s world. I was able to see Scripture come to life in other students\u2019 experiences, and that level of vulnerability throughout the camp made us much closer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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For Nathanael Lim Yeong Sng, a third-year international trade student, a workshop on lament left him with a new perspective on how faith relates to our emotions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWe explored the story of Job in a new light, and looked at how Job\u2019s feelings of anger, sorrow, and questioning of God were part of having a genuine relationship with Him,\u201d said Nathanael. \u201cThis retelling of Job shifted my perspective on my relationship with God.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cSociety generally tells us to sweep our pain and grief under the rug and to be positive all the time. But I learned that it\u2019s okay to air our feelings out and care for the soul. Lament shouldn\u2019t be seen as something negative to get over but as a great expression of hope where we can trust that God listens to us in times of brokenness.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Please pray with us for FES Singapore:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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