OTD’s BSSM Weekly: Graduating with Strength
Week 13 in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
I’ve had this update in my head for the past week and a half but Kris Vallotton just gave me the right kick in the behind to get it out.
I have enjoyed every second of my time at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. But I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve found myself pushing through this final stage. Last week, I decided that the subject of my update would either be ‘Finishing Strong’ or ‘The Staying Power’. I compared it to a rocket taking off with a lot of steam and razzmatazz but as soon as that goes out, it needs something else to stay powered up for the journey upward.
I still love my classes and enjoy the sessions. But it has been nothing like the first 5 months were for me. Yet, I have kept going. I missed some assignment due dates and had to spend a week completing three weeks’ worth of work, but I had decided that I would finish the process and finish well. I believe I know the reason for the lull in excitement. I have put into immediate practice almost everything that I have learned so far in school. I’m juggling a lot of responsibilities while also growing in excitement for some new things coming. My heart and head already know that the season of learning is quickly taking a back seat to a season of application. I wrote about this in my New Year message. Thank God I had been forewarned. It didn’t stop the occasional overwhelm and wondering how anything would get done, but I’ve had peace that I am on track with God.
As I listened to Kris Vallotton in this week 14 class, I got fired up again. I am closing out this chapter with so much steam and the knowledge of how to keep the fire crackling. I also realized that I am very proud of myself. This entire process has stretched my faith, my confidence and my capacity in the most incredible way. I’ll most likely do my week 14 update on that particular class but for now, here’s the message I have been ruminating on since last week.
Staying power and going concerns
The start of a new thing is always exciting. A new lover gives you butterflies. A new job raises your expectations and your desire to perform well. A new skill makes you eager to show off. Soon enough, the initial excitement fades and you need something else to keep you going.
It’s the same thing with having encounters with the Lord. At the moment, it can be the most intense and amazing thing. But the moment soon fades. We soon realize that momentary highs with God are not enough to carry us through the humdrum of everyday life.
We need something to keep the engine running. The answer for me is in stoking the fire in my secret place with the Father. It is the ability to wake up and make myself sit with Him without rules and assignments, and just enjoy learning from Him. This is a discipline that we have to subject our minds and bodies to. With the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to adapt. We have to discipline our desire in order to get to a place of delight with God.
One of the activities that go on often here for me is meditation. In Joshua 1:8, God tells Joshua that this is the secret to success. We see the same word used in other portions of scripture, notably in Isaiah to describe a lion growling over its prey. What is the connection and why does it matter? Let’s take a look.
'Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate (hagah: to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.’ - Joshua 1:8
'This is what the Lord says to me: “As a lion growls (hagah: to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse), a great lion over its prey— and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamour— so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.’ - Isaiah 31:4
I wrote about meditation in my week four update. You can check it out here. For today, what I want to highlight is the portion of the verse in Isaiah that says “even though a whole band of shepherds comes against it, it is not disturbed by their clamour”.
Does it ring a bell for you as it did for me?
This means that if I maintain my position of ‘growling’ over the meat of the word that the Lord has freely given to me, I will naturally be unbothered by the clamour of anything going on around me.
I won’t give in to the overwhelm yelling my name from the comfort of my bed. Rather, I will chew on the word that teaches me about peace and self-control.
I won’t give in to the reality that I am yet to complete my fees. Rather, I will chew on the word that says that God has supplied my needs, sustains me and has a good future prepared for me.
I won’t be distracted because I feel people take me for granted. Rather, I will chew on the word that says I am worthy and of utmost value to my Father.
I could go on with this but you know where the flaming arrows of the enemy are coming against you from. However fiery and fierce they may be looking, simply keep your breastplate of righteousness on and keep feasting on the word.
We could talk for hours about meditation, but if you don’t do it, you’ll never know how great it is. Go on. Give it a try. If you need more insight, check out the post I tagged earlier and others about falling in love with the word here and here.
Meditation and consuming the word are so key. I pray that we will receive even more grace to steward what we’ve been given and what we’ve been learning.
Amen.
Side note: Graduation is in two weeks!! By May 3, 2022, I will be fully done with BSSM. Can you believe that? I still need $945 to complete my tuition payment and I remain open to receiving from you. God has been and is always so kind to us. I do testify of His goodness! I pray that this will be the reality that we participate in.
God bless you all.
Love and love,
OTDamilola,
For King and Kingdom.