Currently, I am exactly eleven weeks away from my last day of high school ever. It's crazy to think that's actually true. It feels like only yesterday I was nervously eyeing the Senior class above me, wondering what it would be like to be in their shoes. And now I am. I'm a Senior. I'm in the oldest grade of my school. And like a friend of mine once said, I now have social powers.
But alongside those so-called "social powers" which entitle me to a number of responsibilities, I've realized a number of things about life. Become a Senior changes you. It makes you realize how fast time actually flies. It makes you suddenly wish you were 8 years old again so you could relive each moment and actually value it for what it is.
I'm in the last year of some of the best years of my life. I realized that sometime last summer. And now I'm spending it feeling like time has never gone by faster.
I may not have a PhD in, um, life. I'm only 18. But becoming a Senior has taught me several things. And I want to share some of these realizations with you.
1. Don't be afraid to lead.
Don't get me wrong here; not all of us are called to hold a clipboard and give presentations to a team of fifty people each week. Even on a smaller scale, not all of us are called to lead the entire school in worship twice a week. Or take charge in group activities at school.But the truth is, there is always some sort of way for you to lead. My school calls it servant leadership. It's what Christ did, constantly. Servant leadership doesn't mean taking charge of everything and bossing everyone around. It means doing the right thing in a group of people who are doing the exact opposite. It means taking charge if nobody else is willing to, and doing the best you can with the job you're given even if you've never done it before and you don't know whether you're cut out for it. Servant leadership means not be afraid to show people what it's like to live a Christ-centered life.
As a Senior, I realized that people start expecting you to take charge with things. It seemed like a lot of pressure at first, but ironically I started to notice that I was freaking out less about being in charge. I was less worried about what others would think and more interested in getting things done well, being a good role model, and being confident in who I am as a young woman of Christ. Senior year has taught me that it's not that scary to lead people. It's not that scary to be different. It may be hard most of the time, but it's definitely worth it.
2. Don't be afraid to say "no."
I said yes to way too many things last year. Not because I thought I wouldn't get the chance to do them later; just because I hate saying no. I like doing lots of things -- but usually it's not really what's best for me.
That's one thing God has been working on in my heart this past year; He's been teaching me to say no to things. He doesn't need me to be involved in every single thing possible at church and school and youth group. He wants my heart, and He wants me to try my best in the things that He calls me to be a part of.
3. Don't save up on your thank yous.
Sure, at the end of the school year there will be plenty of thank yous to say. I mean, that's what the Valedictorian is for, right?Not really.
It matters to people whether they're appreciated or not. So, thank them. Thank your parents for feeding and clothing you. Thank your teachers for taking the time to make sure you actually understand things. Thank your pastor for loving you. Thank Jesus for saving you.
4. See your time as precious.
I can't tell you how big this one is for me.I wish I could re-live each moment of my life. I wish I could grab each season, tough or easy, give it a huge hug, look my old self in the eye and whisper, "This is going to make you stronger." I wish I could grab my old self by the shoulders and shake me silly. I wish I could look my old self square in the eye and say, "Girl, get your act together. Stop wishing you were older. Stop caring so much about what other people think. Stop wishing you weren't exactly where you are right now."
5. Do the Sabbath.
It seems sort of ironic to be putting this one in as well, seeing as I've just been talking all about precious time -- but it's true! The Sabbath is so important. God really does know what's best for us. God knows that if we work 7 days a week all the time, we will eventually explode.So. Don't work on Sundays. Recharge. Take more time to listen from God. Listen to a sermon or podcast online. Read Pride and Prejudice. Watch chick flicks. I'm telling you; Sabbaths are really worth it.
6. Don't skimp on God-time.
When I was a younger teenager, I used to subconsciously roll my eyes when my youth pastor encouraged us to set aside time each day to read the Bible and pray for a bit. But then, a few years ago, things changed. I actually started doing it. And I actually started hearing from God. Let me tell you, daily time with Jesus revolutionized my relationship with Him!Nowadays I can't imagine my morning routine without at least 10 minutes to read my Bible, pray, and journal for a while. It makes such a difference to realize afresh each morning that God has already gone forward into my day. God-time in the morning makes me so much more aware of His Presence throughout the day.
God surely speaks, but usually we need to give Him the time and space to do it.
******
What are some major things you have learned in the past year?
