Before the news of COVID closures hit our campus and we had to move away from the University of Portland this past semester, I felt as though my spiritual life in college was greatly embodied by this verse. At our school, known for its tight-knit community, I frequently felt God’s presence in my daily interactions with friends, classmates, and professors. People at UP care about one another. They love one another, and in that love, God is present.
During my time in college, I felt this love in the Commons, the chapels across campus, on the quad, and at soccer games. But as I was told that it was time to leave The Bluff and complete my time with UP remotely from my home in Eugene, I began to feel wary about the days to come and my relationships that hung in the balance.
When I arrived back home, things were tough. I would spend three to six hours a day in a virtual classroom. After class, I’d spend a few more hours studying all by myself instead of a with a group of friends from school. Then, exhausted, I would sit through dinner before making sure I was ready for the next day of virtual classes.
On paper, these circumstances don’t look great, but they were not nearly as bad as they might seem. What helped to carry me through these days of studying by myself were the weekly Zoom calls that a group of my friends committed to during the final days we spent on campus. Despite being hundreds and even thousands of miles away, we found ways to gather virtually. We played games. We talked about our lives. We prayed together.
These weekly meetings have continued beyond graduation and remain part of our daily lives as we make the transition to the professional world. They have allowed me to navigate some of the struggles that our society faces, helped me to open my mind, and – most importantly – they give me hope! This gathering together with friends has been a weekly reminder of God’s presence in my life. I greatly value this connection and this community, and I strongly encourage you to find or build a group like this. Though we are miles and miles apart, I truly believe that where two or three are gathered, God is right there too!
Reflection by Ryan Helbling ’20
