From DLCM. DLSO WORKSHOP (SENIOR YOUTHS/SS CLASSES) ACHIEVING GREATER HEIGHTS IN LIFE Philippians 3:13-15; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; Isaiah 43:19; Daniel 1:8, 17-20 This session of the Impact Academy offers us the unique privilege of unleashing the innate potentials of every participant so as to have guaranteed desirable future of successful achievement. A moment like this calls first-of-all for evaluation of whatever has been achieved in the past and measuring them with the benchmark of the ultimate possibility of the life God has designed for us especially now that some have just finished their BECE, NECO and WAEC examinations. No achiever rests on his oars, no matter how good or bad it is. It is the season of driving forward with the whole passion and energy commensurate with this stage of our lives.
As youths, it is joy to know that there are so many rivers to cross and greater heights to aspire to that ultimately lead to holistic success. Daniel was a youth whose lifestyle is a challenge to youths of every succeeding generation. He had a purpose, he kept himself from defilement, and he achieved greater heights (Daniel 1:8, 17-20). In many countries across Africa, the motor parks usually have four categories of people: i. authentic passengers, fake passengers who are actually touts, the escorts –called bus conductors and the bus driver. The fake passenger has no destination and is a pretender going no where. The escort gets to the bus terminal but not the home. The genuine passenger gets to his destination driven by the bus driver. In the journey to greater heights in life, this seminar will help you to be a genuine passenger with a genuine driver in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14: 6). 1. The Perception and Possibility of Achieving Greater Heights in Life Philippians 3: 13-15; 1Corinthians 9: 24-27; Isaiah 43:19 The bible gives the basic information for achieving greater heights. In Philippians 3: 13-15 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you”. The right perception of what God can do with our present lives opens the door to a world of possibilities right at our door steps. No matter what had transpired in the past, God can make all things new (Isaiah 43: 19). We need to have an acceptable perception as stated below: Forget the past. Every youth is instructed not to dwell too much on the past whether good or bad. A negative past has the possibility of haunting the present and future, while a positive present or past success can lead to complacency and failure to reach the pinnacle. To achieve greater heights, the need to forget things that are behind cannot be overemphasized (Philippians 3:13). Forgetting the past gives us the possibility of openly embracing greater things that God has in store for us. Press toward the mark set by God. In Philippians 3: 14, the necessity of pressing toward the mark set by God is stressed. So many youths today have role models, mentors or stars that they emulate and use as their benchmark. However, many of those stars do not have the basic requirements of holistic success set by God. Apostle Paul was a cerebral fellow who became so popular in the secular and the ecclesiastical realm. He was counted as successful, measured by the people of his days. When eventually he measured himself with the standard of God, he cast away all his achievements counting them as dung (Philippians 3: 4-9). Have the mind of Christ. If your present success revolves around yourself without the involvement of God, it is fake and need to be jettisoned for something greater and enduring. Achieving greater heights must involve God. That is the mind of Christ. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (Philippians 3:15). 2. Prerequisites for Achieving Greater Heights in Life 1Corinthians 9: 24-27 The lifestyle of an achiever must reflect that of a person who has a goal in life. This brings focus and order to his endeavours wherever he finds himself. The following lifestyles are necessary: Never follow the multitude. Don’t run anyhow, have focus. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain”(1Corinthians 9:24). Your focus is on the prize. Others may I cannot. Others may do ordinary assignments, look for ordinary grades, you cannot. Do extra ordinary things. Be “abnormal”. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?” (1Corinthians 9: 24a). Run in a special manner. Your run must be higher and greater than that of others. Your language while running must indicate your goal. Plan and space your race. Achieving greatness is not by accident. It must be carefully planned. The race is not a short sprint but a marathon! No short cut to success. Run to Win. “So run, that ye may obtain” (1Corinthians 9:24b). Have you ever observed a marathon race, many are there to make up the number or to have a jolly time. Only few have the focus or reflexes required to win. Distinguish yourself! Opportunity for Greatness is for you. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Corinthians 9: 25-27). Achieving greater heights is for every one who can pay the price. You must be one of them! 3. Principles for Achieving Greater Heights in Life Jeremiah 29:11 The following principles using GREATER HEIGHT as acronym will lead to the required destination. G- God-dependence (Daniel 11:32; Philippians 4:13).Know God and depend on Him. You will do exploits. God is the one who quickens for exploits. R-Righteousness (Psalm 37:23-25). Integrity that comes through righteousness is the pillar that sustains greater heights else the entire achievement structure will collapse. E-Education (2Timothy 2:15). Education with practical application is key. You must be able to defend your certificate without shame when tested. A-Attitude of a Champion (1 Samuel17; 1Corinthians 9: 24-27).Be bold and confident like David in the presence of Goliath. T-Teachability (Psalm 32:8-9). Humble yourself to learn even from those under you. No man is an island of knowledge. E-Excellence-minded (1Corinthians 9: 24-27). God is not interested in mediocrity. R-Responsibility. (Philippians 3: 13-15). Be responsible. Your achievement in life solely depends on you. You hold the key. Be dependable. H-Hardwork. No hardwork, no greater heights. No shortcut. Success, wealth or fame without hardwork is fake and fickle (Proverbs 6:4-11). E-Extraordinary. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the word extra. Add extra work. Go the extra mile. Climb to the top of the pyramid by extra work. I-Innovation (Daniel 11:32). Think outside the box. Be an innovator G-Growth-in-grace. Grace is needed to get to greater heights. Moreover, you need to grow in that grace. H-Hatred for wickedness (Psalm 45:6-7). Hate bribery, immorality, cultism and other vices that destroy dreams. T-Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3: 5-8; Psalm 37: 3-6). Trusting in the Lord will make your dream to come to pass.
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