I stepped away from my startup for a weekend retreat—and came back with a lighter soul and renewed clarity in God’s grace.

Elijah is a Northeastern graduate student who attended the Northeastern College Winter Retreat. Below is his sharing from that experience.

I quit my company (Tomoji) to focus on God.

For 48 hours.
Last weekend, I went on a winter retreat with my college church.
In the middle of nowhere. No wifi. (Feels like) -31 degrees.

Honestly, I was really hesitating whether I should go.

> Last weekend was the Super Bowl.
> My roommates and I had a potluck planned at our house.
> And it was the last time I’d get to watch my girlfriend compete in collegiate swimming.

I really wanted to stay back.
But I was broken. I needed help more than I even knew at the time.
I was a little nervous, not really knowing what to expect.
But the people at my church are so welcoming, it always feels like home.

After our second sermon on repentance, I sat down with my church mentor and my pastor for over an hour and told them everything.
I tried to be as open and vulnerable as I possibly could.
The sin and burden I’d been carrying all along, without me even realizing it.
It was beginning to affect all aspects of my life. At work, I had no patience with my team, and every day I felt annoyed and directionless.
But when I opened up, I received nothing but love.

I recently heard a sermon from famous pastor Cliffe Knechtle, and he said something that stuck with me: “I’m a worse sinner than I ever realized, but I’m more loved than I ever hoped for.”
And meditating on that contrast is the beginning of faith.
I always knew about what Jesus did for me on the cross, but I didn’t really GET IT until that weekend.

So I left thankful.
Thankful for my mentors.
My pastor.
A loving community of believers who feel like family.
But most importantly,

Thankful for a God who laid down His life to save me from the punishment I deserve: death.

I came back to work on Tomoji alongside Michael Long and Jordan F. with a weight lifted off my chest. Lighter. Like a breath of fresh air.

For the first time in a while, I showed up with a clear sense of direction and a newfound confidence to serve my team.

Your work can wait. Your soul can't.

(I also made it back just in time for kickoff 😆)

This article was originally featured on Acts2 College Stories Substack, a story wall for college students who need a source of joy, challenge, and inspiration.

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