SLU ~ 5 things I wish every high schooler knew

Student Leadership University has encouraged me to share 5 specific things I wish high schoolers were more aware of and followed.  My inspiration was out of God's Word in 1 Timothy 4:12. If you have any questions regarding SLU, feel free to contact me or go to www.slulead.com

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"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

1) Speech ~ As high schoolers, we try to forget middle school. High schoolers think that they're annoying little people who are loud and awkward. Or we try to forget middle school because those were some of the worst years of our lives, submerged in bullying and awkward friendships. We hated those uncomfortable years so we try to disregard middle school in general.

The first thing I wish high schoolers knew is that middle schoolers need encouragers—we are those encouragers. This is a new time in their lives so we need to rightfully use our speech.

2) Conduct ~ The Bible says in Matthew 7:20 that Christ followers will be recognized "by their fruits." Too many times high schoolers are not known by their fruits and do not display the fruits of the Spirit because they are too consumed with living now. "#YOLO" and "Live your life!!" are things the world screams at us, discouraging us to be an example in our conduct. People watch everything we do.

Secondly, I desire high schoolers to know that life is not about "now." The life we live now should point to Who we will spend eternity with (this is sanctification).

3) Love ~ Several months ago, I finally had enough courage to ask our Bellevue Arlington student pastor's wife to chat over some coffee. I was so nervous... I mean, she was goals—beautiful, popular, sweet, and caring—what more could you ask for? But I wanted to get to know her better and glean wisdom from her. We met at Starbucks and talked for almost two hours. Plus, I gained a lot of wisdom from her! We've gotten to grow closer—we even went on a double date with her husband and my boyfriend. But a couple weeks ago, I found out my sweet new friend was moving almost six hours away! I'm sad she's leaving, and I'll miss her, but I'm thankful I had enough courage to get to know her better in the first place. 

Thirdly, I wish high schoolers knew getting to know people is the best thing you can do! Not just in your circle of friends, but people you've had a desire to get to know—this will help deepen your walk with God and will also strengthen the body of Christ.

4) Faith ~ If I've learned anything in my Christian walk, it's been that being a Christian isn't comfortable. There have been many things that have made me uncomfortable—like sharing the gospel with a stranger or giving up something for the sake of Christ. But as I've learned this, I've learned that it is totally worth it—outside of our comfort zone is the perfect spot where Jesus can use us. The theme of our summer camp this past year was "this changes everything," meaning salvation affects every area of our lives—our attitude, actions, and appearance.

Additionally, I desire high schoolers to know that salvation changes EVERYTHING. It may not be comfortable, but it's totally worth it.

5) Purity ~ I've learned a lot through my relationship with my boyfriend. From the very start, we both desired to have a relationship of example that younger people could look up to and follow. As I've grown closer to my boyfriend, I've learned that a relationship with Christ is so much more important!!

Finally, I wish high schoolers knew that every relationship we have here on earth is meant to deepen our relationship with Christ.

From Enemy to Faultless

Colossians 1:21-23(NLT)

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

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I am the worst sinner. 

I have disobeyed God and spit in His face. Because of my thoughts and actions (both evil), I was separated from God. 

I was His enemy.

 But His love couldn't stand to be apart from me. He loved me—His enemy—enough to die.

His blood has brought me into His presence. 

He calls me holy and blameless! He sees me without a single fault through His eyes of mercy. 

What a God! What a love! 

But this should encourage us to continue in our faith, stable and steadfast, and not shifting from this hope.

This knowledge—reaffirming knowledge that we were enemies and now are holy—should push and encourage us to share the gospel without fear.

For Christ lives in us and this should give us the assurance—this should give me the assurance—of sharing his glory.

Growing in What We Believe

“We learn to believe by believing… The practice of acting on a certain thing, even (or especially) when feeling is absent, embodies the entire ‘how’ of growth.” Eugenia Price

Growing is difficult. How do we grow in what we believe? By acting on what we believe even when we don’t feel like it.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1

If we don’t grow closer to God, we’ll find ourselves drifting away. The next couple of verses in Hebrews talks about if we neglect this great salvation—if we choose not to deepen our walk with Christ, we will receive punishment.

God promises in James 4:8 that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.

There’s so much more of God that He wants to teach us. He desires us to grow in Him because only then will we obtain true joy.

“Eternity will never be long enough to learn all He is, or to praise Him for all He has done, but then, that matters not; for we shall be always with Him, and we desire nothing more.” A W Tozer

Holy Confidence

One of the primary ways the devil attacks us ladies, I believe, is that he steals our confidence. Not the “I’m more beautiful than anyone else” kind, but the inward beauty of Christ. Not the “I can do this all by myself—without people or God” kind of confidence, but the “I can do all things through Christ.” (Phil. 4:13)

This is the real world… I know. It’s so hard to walk with your head held high when someone has just finished making a rude comment about your makeup/outfit/overall appearance or mocked inward beauty. It’s tough.

Satan knows that by stealing our confidence, he’ll more easily be able to steal other things from us. But by living life in the confidence of the Lord, He will give us three specific qualities as our reward (not limited to these three, but these are the ones that stood out to me).

With holy confidence, we will display joy.

We can’t have the confidence of the Lord without the Lord. He is the one who puts the spring in our step even when our outfit is labeled “boring” or we’re internally a roller coaster of emotions. He promises to give us joy! “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.” 1 Chronicles 16:27 When we spend time with Jesus, we will experience his splendor and majesty, His strength and joy.

With holy confidence, we will exhibit peace.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 By focusing on the Lord we will come to the point of peace where we’ll realize how much better inward beauty is than our outward beauty. The world constantly tells us to lose our focus and look to the “treasures” the world offers… whether it be a better outfit or just the mindset of doing things yourself (“You don’t need anybody but yourself”). Peace comes through Jesus not the world. When we focus on Jesus and keep our mind on Him, we will keep the confidence and peace we desire.

With holy confidence, we will gain compassion.

Compassion for others. You and I aren’t the only ones losing our confidence. Every female—young girl or elderly woman—at some point or another will experience a loss of confidence. With this knowledge, we can encourage others through our compassionate hearts. Everyone who struggles desires to have someone to sympathize. We have influence to encourage our sisters in Christ, telling them that we don’t have to give up our confidence!

By choosing to continue in the confidence of the Lord and keeping our focus on Him, we will receive joy, peace, and compassion. It’s not going to be easy, but with this knowledge we don’t have to give up what’s ours… we can live in the fullness of holy confidence!

My SLU Experience of a Lifetime

I stood at the top of the steps looking out at the marble tomb. The wind slapped my cheeks as if to remind me that this was real life. I was about to lay the weath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Weeks before, I had written a paper about Abraham Lincoln and how he began as a nobody, but turned into one of our nation's greatest leaders. I submitted the paper to SLU, hoping I would be chosen for the honor to lay the wreath but slightly doubting my abilities. 

Then I waited.

Two days into SLU 201 in Washington D.C., I assumed they chose other winners to lay the wreath, but as we received announcements for the rest of the night, I was asked to come to the front of the large conference room. While up there, I was told that I was chosen to lay the wreath at the Arlington Cemetery. 

My heart skipped a beat. Was this real?! I looked around at the student leaders next to me who had also been chosen, our excitement obvious.

The next day was incredible. I took it all in. 

I was honored to have a VIP tour of the Arlington Cemetery, leading us to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

When we got to the top of the stairs, my heart began to pound hard. One of the guards gave each of us students laying the wreath a strong handshake and specific orders in what to do. In my mind, I was so nervous I would forget what to do! 

Finally the time came. We marched down the stairs in an orderly manner, placed our hands on the wreath, and saluted as they played "Taps." 

As the song played, my mind raced. I was standing where Presidents have stood. I was a part of one of the most honorable ceremonies.

Wow.

Laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was such a privilege and a memory I will cherish always.

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The only place I know that can provide experiences like these is SLU. 

Student Leadership University invites students to think, dream, and lead while providing boundless opportunities to grow in your leadership skills. I mean, where else can you go that gives you the chance to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

I invite you to begin your journey at SLU where wisdom and life-changing experiences await. 

#slulead
www.slulead.com

This is the Day

I woke up & had my quiet time outside where the weather was perfect & the sun had just risen. I thanked God for the beautiful day He created.

I went inside & checked my phone to see that my friend had texted me. He told me good morning and sent me Psalm 118:24 "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It was so sweet!

As the day went on, I began some of my chemistry homework. I realized how much was on my plate, and began to stress & panic over all that I had to do plus, I never got to do want to do now-a-days. I cried because of anger that God would let this day be filled with school instead of relaxing & fun. 

As I was crying, I knew I needed encouragement from the word. Immediately, my first thought went to Psalm 118:24. God has made this day. I am to rejoice & be glad in it. 

No matter what is in the mix of the day—school, fun, stress, or joy—God has made this day for our pleasure. 

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

We Believe He's All We Need

“And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

I’ve never been the kind of person to find value in how many likes I get on Instagram or favorites I get on Twitter… Never—until now.

I see others who are “more successful” in the social media world than I am, and I feel incompetent—not good enough.

I think that if I tweet something clever or post an artsy photo, I’ll receive more satisfaction and love and attention.

God created us to be desired and wanted, but we will never find that fulfillment in the number of double taps or retweets we receive. How, then, can we get the love, satisfaction, and attention that we need?

One word. Jesus.

Jesus is the One who satisfies us in the desert, who walks alongside of us to guide us. He’s the One who died a cruel death for us.

We know these truths, we even go so far as to say we believe these truths, but many times our desire to be desired gets in the way.

But think about it: if the all-knowing God made us with the desire to be loved and cared for, He wouldn’t leave us stranded. He would provide a way to fulfill our needs.

Only He can satisfy.

So next time you think you can’t measure up, things aren’t going your way, or you don’t feel cared for, remember to run to Christ because He satisfies.