Our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Be with God and REST in Him

May 19, 2017

By Michele Peter
The Youth of the Fellowship of the Malaysian Covenant Community (FMCC), in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Single Adult and Youth Office (ASAYO), organised a REST conference on April 30 at St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya, specifically for single adults aged 18-39. Nearly 250 single adults participated.

The Youth of the Fellowship of Malaysian Covenant Communities (FMCC) evolved from the early years to support the Youth of the local covenant communities. The nine covenant communities are in Kuala Lumpur, Taiping, Kuching, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Sandakan, Papar and Penampang.

The Archdiocesan Single Adult and Youth Office (ASAYO) Kuala Lumpur, whose primary focus is the ministry of accompaniment for young people, based on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35), ministers to youth between the ages of 17-39. ASAYO, which specifically ministers to Youth and Campus students (aged 18-24), single adults (aged 25-39) and lay singles (aged 40 and above), is directed by Fr Gregory Chan and a Youth Coordinators Team.

The Archbishop of Kula Lumpur, Julian Leow, graced the REST conference by attending the Praise and Worship session, followed by the testimonies and skits.

Based on the theme Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, the famous quote of St Augustine of Hippo, the participants developed a deep longing to Rely Entirely and Surrender Totally (REST) to the will of the heavenly Father. The quote of St Augustine, coupled with the verse from Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” proclaimed the benevolent love of God who gathers His children into His arms so they can find rest in Him.

The first session, “Resting in the Father’s love” given by the director of ASAYO, Fr Gregory Chan, illustrated the need of man to fall in love with God. The verse “He who does not love, does not know God, for God is Love,” (1 John 4:8) directed the hearts of participants to the meaning of the word ‘Love’ which directed them to genuine REST. This session was about the concerns of people with attachments of worldly desires. Fr Gregory Chan further spoke about the ardent need of single adults today to redirect themselves from being “content with ourselves to being content with God,” since God is infinite goodness, therefore in Him we may find delight and REST.

Resting, effortless as it may sound, is indeed a Journey. The second session “Journey to REST,” was about the need to walk with God through our mind, body, soul and spirit. The session given by Jessica D’cruz and Rachel Gomez from the FMCC Youth committee touched on the restlessness of the mind, and highlighted the need to resonate the thoughts in our heads and the desires of our hearts to the will of the Father. The speakers explained the steps of the Lectio Divina, as a means of walking with the Lord to our journey of REST.

The conference was followed by an exhortation by Christopher Felix, who expounded on the story of the road to Emmaus. The climax of this event, namely, the Eucharistic Adoration by Fr Greg and Aline Lim, brought forth the experience of resting with God before the Eucharist. The adoration was further accentuated by a REST skit (coordinated by the FMCC Youth) which beckoned young adults to rest in God and His Word. Monica William, a participant of the conference, eloquently exclaimed, “For me, the REST stirred my heart in a few areas. The reminder of a Father’s love that is unchanging and eternal was something that I needed to hear. It was a reassurance that recharged my conviction in a God that is love. It has been a trying year for me, and rediscovering the message of hope gave me the strength that I needed.”

Marishka, another participant at the conference, attested, “Having to juggle between so many things, this REST conference really made an impact in my life. The conference touched me in many ways because I managed to spend some quality time with Jesus and the sessions really made me learn more.”

Sonia Anne, also fervently expressed, “The REST conference was the first of its kind. It was encouraging for me to see my fellow youth so energised in praising God. It has encouraged me to be more active in praising the Glory of God and spreading His Word. All in all, the REST conference made me feel like God is calling me to spread His Word.”

The REST conference, the very first of its kind, challenges the youth of today to the greater call of God, that is, to be still in His presence. A great and sincere appreciation therefore, should be extended to the FMCC Youth and ASAYO KL for organising this conference.