ALIVE! Article by Wyman

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ALIVE! & Post-Event Reflections
A Youth Event held in February 2010

Last 27 February, the OLPS Youth Ministry conducted an event for all its youth groups to come together with the intention to enjoy godly fellowship with each other as a community and to mature in our spiritual lives. The theme for February’s event was “ALIVE!” and the topics presented during the event focused on seeking happiness in harmony with God while going about our daily lives.

The program started with light refreshment allowing everyone to mingle around before we got to play an exciting icebreaker called “Human Bingo”, which was conceptualized by some members from Genesis Ministry. After which, Father Fredrick Quek, Spiritual Director for the youth ministry, gave a short talk to help all the youths to open their heart and minds and think about what it means to be “Alive”.

The night proceeded on with the screening of a short Art film called “Shaking Tokyo” which featured the life of a Japanese “hikikomori”. Hikikomori is a Japanese term to refer to the phenomenon of reclusive people who have chosen to withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement because of various personal and social factors in their lives. Watching this short film helped us to reflect what is being “Alive!” after all, as many of us are living, but we may not be living life to the fullest.

Finally, we ended the night with quiet prayer and music, led by the Youth Music Ministry.

As a participant of this event, I found attending this event very fruitful and meaningful as I am now more aware of my relationship status with God, as well as about myself as a person. The event made me realize that my lifestyle actually separates me from God as I am sometimes too “comfortable” with daily routines in my own life, which makes me insecure and fearful to any “change that threatens it”, thus I eventually withdraw myself from God and the people around me – just like a “hikikomori”.

Nevertheless, I have learnt that God endlessly encourages me to be courageous and to trust in him, and to sacrifice some of my “worldly securities” in order to find Him. I believe that it is worthwhile to do so as when I find God each time in different areas of my spiritual life, I will also find His Love in every aspect and form. Perhaps chasing after God’s love keeps me “Alive” with God!

Overall, everything went smoothly and everyone gained something out of it. Being in a community that puts in effort to pray together and accept one another positively brightens up my day even when I am going through tough times. It always reminds me that there are still people who love me regardless of who I am. As such, I consider myself blessed. With such valuable treasures that God has given to me: my friends, I also consider them as my second family.


Wyman Matthias,
Youth Mentors
OLPS Youth Ministry