Four Ways to Make the Most of Your Year

Recently I got to speak with a group of college age students about how to get the most out of their year at Bethel’s School of Supernatural Ministry. I got to thinking this actually applies to everywhere in life, so here you go. Enjoy!

Be Intentional – What Do YOU Want?

When you have few options is it really easy to decide what to do. When you are surrounded by an abundance of options it becomes really difficult; you need to know what it is you want and protect those priorities.

The alternative is that you get influenced by what others are doing and run from opportunity to opportunity trying to grasp as many things as possible and in the end may miss the very thing you came for. Your priorities will be different to the priorities of the ‘crowd.’

Take some time now and decide what the most important things are that you want out of this year. Maybe there are a large number. If so, go through them and rate them from 1-10, where 10 is ‘I cannot leave without doing this.’ Use that to help decide what you will invest your time into.

Build Your Anchor and Supply Line

When you are in a student and revival environment, away from the responsibilities of a 9-5 job, the lifestyle can be deceiving. There is an energy and momentum in the crowd and in the environment that has been built for years. It’s like the whirlpools we make in the swimming pool as kids. If you stop your own walk, you will continue to be carried by the momentum of the environment. Dont be deceived into thinking that because you are moving you are growing.

Be careful to protect and prioritize your own daily disciplines of building a personal connection with God – alone. It is a lot easier to build a strong habit of connection and intimacy with God (anchor and supply line) when there is little pressure than when you are under a lot of pressure and everything is being challenged. Now is the time to develop your anchor so that when you ‘sail’ out from here into the big oceans of the world, you will be able to thrive regardless of the storms you go through.

Risk – Face Your Greatest Fears

Now is always the best time to face whatever you fear the most. Dont wait for them to come to you, run at them. When you are surrounded by countless individuals all in pursuit of God, the momentum and faith they add to you is unstoppable. Take advantage of that. What is it you are most afraid of? Gather some close friends, share with them and then run at it. Whether that is talking to the most beautiful girl on campus, asking your hero in life for an interview or risking praying for a total stranger, just do it.

There are two kinds of failure. One type of failure happens in the midst of an attempt to do something eg. I missed a shot I took in basketball or I prayed for a dead person and nothing happened. The other failure is the failure to act. Dont be caught with regrets, do it now. What would you do today if you were fearless? Connect with the Father, allow His love to chase away the fear, connect with some friends to encourage and keep you accountable, then run at it as fast as you can!

Value the Unseen – Hidden Things Have Greater Value

Behind every great public person is an army of hidden geniuses at work. They are the executive assistants, custodians, elders, patriarchs and intercessors who make everything work. Be intentional to notice those people and give them honor. Seek out the people that are behind the scenes and buy them a coffee to learn their story. Talk to custodian about what where he has come from and what he has learned or observed. Ask them how to make the most of your year. You will be amazed at what you hear and what you learn.

Originally posted on Dream Culture.