It has been about three years since my very first Kairos experience. Kairos, which is Greek for "God's time," is a four-day retreat dedicated to God's time. This experience was made possible through my high school, and I could not imagine missing out on this special time to connect with others, God, and most importantly, myself.
It is an experience that is kept secret throughout the school and the Kairos community. No, I am not about to spill the secrets that lie within the Kairos program, but instead, I am going to share three valuable lessons learned throughout my four-day journey of soul searching.
The main focus of the Kairos retreat is to be stripped of judgment that circulates around ourselves and others in our daily lives. This is a time to really let your walls down and open up to your peers in a safe environment. Throughout the week, you will hear the stories of your leaders, your peers, and learn about the word of God to help guide you through this time in your life.
1. Allow yourself to open up.
You don't have to open yourself up on the first day, or even at all. That is solely your decision. When you do choose to open up, it may be around a few people you know, or maybe some that you have never spoken to, or those you barely know. When you allow yourself to freely be who you are, that is what makes the Kairos experience worth it. Your secrets are kept safe within your Kairos group.
2. Use God's time wisely.
With no technology keeping you occupied, you really are left to rely on God's time. The days may seem long, but you will slowly forget about the time and everything left back at home. Utilize this time to listen to others and what they have to say, and connect with those you may not have thought to connect with back home. Cherish every second- because it will fly by.
3. Make the most of the experience.
As previously mentioned, this is only a four-day retreat. You only get one chance to go (unless you are chosen as a leader, then you get to go for a second time). Kairos isn't for everyone, I understand that. I have friends who went and they didn't get as much out of it as I did. Kairos is what you make of it. So have fun, listen, cry, laugh, share, love unconditionally, and let go and let God.
I feel as though the Kairos experience is what helped me to break out of my shell and blossom. I was able to open up about things I kept private for years, and then was able to become a leader to share my wisdom and story to my peers. My goal then was to inspire, and I live each day in hopes to continue inspiring those I am surrounded by. I had lost my touch with God for awhile but found him when living on His time. I'm not an advocate church-goer, but I do rely on God heavily. Without learning what I did on Kairos, I don't know what I would be doing right now. Maybe stuck in a slump? I am stronger now than I once was, and I can't help but to thank Kairos for it. Each situation I face is easier to deal with now that I am full of a newer light to life.
I hope that those who will once experience Kairos will take it all in for what it is and not focus so much on what the "secrets" are.
To those Kaironians out there (especially my K122 and K124 sisters)...
