I am Odoba Olajide Clement, a graduate of the University of Ibadan.
Upon my admission into the Nigerian premiere university, the news was shared with folks and was greeted with congratulatory messages. My Youth Fellowship President advised that I should join a spiritually sound fellowship on campus. Having enquired of the Lord, I had a release in my spirit to join the Anglican Students' Fellowship, where I later became the branch Vice President, President and National General Secretary.
Maintaining a balanced life was arduous initially as juggling between academic, social, spiritual and other extracurricular activities was alien to me. I made sure I was serious with the things of God. So it could be said that I was on fire for God. The first semester ended, and like most freshmen on campus, I couldn’t wait to go home. I live a normal life at home.
Second semester had started, and as a worker in the fellowship, you’re expected to resume early. It was Wednesday evening of the resumption week, a regular Bible Study time I wouldn’t trade for anything. Prayers, praise and worship had ended and it was time for the Bible Study proper. The minister stepped out while we made ourselves comfortable before Abba to learn. The Study was titled, “The True Worshippers.”
We weren’t halfway into the Study when I discovered that I seemed to have blown off all the fire I had gathered on campus at home during the break. At home, I ate everyday, occasionally skipped my prayer and quiet time, and spend eternity with the TV if there was power supply.
Almost every sentence of the Study hit my heart. There was a severe burning in my spirit like the two men Jesus communed with on their way to Emmaus. I learnt from the Study that worship is best offered to God by life and living. Worship is Love calling unto love. And it is love responding to Love. This should happen everyday and everywhere.
After the study that day, I decided to always be on fire for Jesus whether at home or on campus. To ensure I had not made an empty decision, I approached two of the serious brothers in the Fellowship with the sole aim of becoming my prayer partners. They both consented. We fasted and prayed together. We shared burdens and Scriptures. Every moment with those brothers was impactful.
As time went on, I understand the workings of the Spirit more and the importance of maintaining a constant personal concentration and consecration.
I had quoted Philippians 3:10 severally, especially in prayers. But sometime in 300 or 400 Level, I decided to study the whole Book and especially the third chapter that houses my favorite verse. That day, I discovered a shocking principle that guarantees being vibrant perpetually. Verse 16 says, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” Every rules or principles we followed to attain any level must be maintained so as to retain the level.
Anointing will come, in fact, we are anointed, but all we did to get it is all we need to repeat to keep it. If I was vibrant on campus, to keep that status, I only do again what I did, but now in a progressive manner and perhaps, deeper! Because there’s always more: more lands to conquer, depths to launch into and heights to attain. To attain these, we follow the same principles that earn us the present level.
GNB renders the same scripture thus: “However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.” Dearly beloved, living a vibrant life outside campus is easy except the life you have before was never vibrant. Just keep praying, keep studying, keep fellowshipping with the Spirit and men of like mind. Keep your consecration. Do again the former things. Daily remember your first love, find new love, then press. Press forward! There’s no space behind.
Because “…we are not of them who draw back unto perdition…” Heb.10:39.
I see a generation of giants that will be vibrant for God everywhere, everyday. We are the blessed of the Lord.
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