Take a few moments to think about these questions:
- How often do you feel busy?
- Do you spend much time in rest or solitude?
- When was the last time you did something that renewed your spirit?
There’s no doubt about it-we live in a busy world! University life is no exception. As a new student here, you’ll be managing classes, homework, relationships, jobs, and other activities. You’ll have to make important choices about where you give your time.
Sometimes the things we need most can seem unproductive. You may have said to yourself at one time or another, “I don’t have time to sleep right now—I need to get _____ done!” We experience many pressures that make us feel like we can’t afford to slow down.
But one of our hopes at Gonzaga is that you learn to listen to the still, small voice calling you to your own unique way of living and being present to the world. An excerpt from our mission statement is:
Gonzaga cultivates in its students the capacities and dispositions for reflective and critical thought, lifelong learning, spiritual growth, ethical discernment, creativity, and innovation.
These are nice words, but they take strength and courage to live out! More specifically, they depend on a certain amount of time and space to sit, ponder, renew, imagine, have a genuine conversation, and listen to God’s voice.
University Ministry is here to help you make space and navigate this road of discovery. We offer ministries, programs, small groups and retreats filled with conversation, reflection, prayer, fun and community. Whether you’re looking to deepen your faith, wrestle with questions, or simply take a deep breath, we’re here to walk alongside you and support you.
We highly recommend that new students consider making the First Year Retreat, which is a weekend getaway in October and a great introduction to our ministry team and programs. You’ll be led by older students who will share stories from their college journeys. Information and registration for this and other programs is available on the UMin website.
We know how much you have to do as a busy college student, but we also know that you need time to be “unproductive,” to simply rest, reflect, pray and make space for the inner transformation that can only happen away from the chaos. And that’s a worthy waste of time.
Michelle Wheatley is an Assistant Vice President for Mission and Ministry and the Director of University Ministry.