Author and pastor Ben Stuart of Passion City Church in Washington, D.C., encouraged students to center their schedules around Christ during the Aug. 28 Convocation in the Vines Center.
Stuart emphasized the importance of making time to be with God amidst busy schedules. He shared his own experience and challenged listeners to prioritize daily devotion to the Word.
The speaker referenced Genesis 1-2, reflecting on how God intended humans to live and work. He focused on Genesis 2:15, which says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Stuart shared that God placed man in a structure conducive to the flourishing of life and encouraged students to structure their schedules similarly.
In his message, he highlighted a personal experience when he and a friend struggled to climb a mountain, only making it to the top after an experienced mountaineer came alongside them to help.
“I want to be your mountain sherpa,” Stuart said. “To come alongside you and let me give you some equipment that will help you not just survive this semester but thrive in it.”
Stuart advised that prayer and complete focus on God can help students thirve on campus.
Stuart also challenged students to spend their free time with God.
“I want to encourage you to look at all that white space on that (schedule) page and go, ‘God, what did you call me to?’” Stuart said.
Sophomore Hannah Hansen explained how the message impacted her.
“Ben Stuart’s message was very captivating, very engaging and gave a lot of fruitful insight into how to maximize your year successfully with God,” Hansen said.
Sophomore Tyler Mastny shared the moment that he found most impactful.
“One of the biggest things was just being in the room with so many like-minded Christians,” Mastny said.
Stuart concluded by advising students to take a pause in their busy schedules to invite God into the structure of their day.
“God is breathing into the structure of my life, and I want that for you,” Stuart said. “This is what Jesus did for us.”
Senes is the news editor for The Liberty Champion.