JOY: Secret to Excelling Academically Despite Busy Schedules

In the first part of this treatise, I shared from personal experience some useful (though trivial-looking) tips that will be of help to all students especially those who combine their academics with other (non-academic) activities. Whereas that first part focused on your approach to your studies, this will focus on your approach to the other non-academic activities you may be involved in. I pray this too will be beneficial to you.

Let me say from the onset that as GOD’s dear child, everything you do is seen by GOD as a service to Him; whether you serve in the church, fellowship, department, faculty, family, place of work or your personal business. That is why in several places, the word of GOD encourages us to do our work as unto the LORD, whether it be eating or drinking. “For you serve the Lord Christ!” (Colossians 3:24). Where you are serving is not the issue: in your church? You serve Christ; in your faculty? You serve Christ; in your department? You serve Christ; in your fellowship? You serve Christ; in your own business venture? You serve Christ; in a company? You serve Christ. Christ is your real Boss; every other boss is just a representative.

Now, if it be true that you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, then the counsel of David in Psalm 100 (Jubilaté Deo) verse two is one I have found most useful if you must excel academically amidst busy schedules. He says, “Serve the LORD with Gladness” (RSV). Note that even though some translations use “worship” instead of “serve”, the root Hebrew word “âbad” means to work; and by implication, to serve or till the ground. Gladness means experiencing joy and pleasure.

Therefore, if you do not serve the LORD with gladness, that is, if you do not derive joy and pleasure from the things you do, then you are probably a very frustrated person. However, when you serve with gladness certain things happen.

1: You Testify Christ Powerfully

You agree with Paul in demonstrating ability to do all things through Christ that strengthens you, thereby showing to the world that the strength Christ provides is actually sufficient. The power of Christ is not only demonstrated by the working of “miracles”; this too is a powerful demonstration.

If as a student, your area of service is, or you will like to serve in the church or fellowship, some people will probably discourage you, citing examples of many students whose academics have suffered greatly because of their involvement in church or fellowship work. They may even remind you that your parents did not send you to school to do church. Dear, your academics can still soar very high if only you will serve gladly. Then you will testify like Paul: “I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life” (Colossians 1:29 ERV).

2: You Manifest Clearly the Fruit of the Spirit

You know anybody can be joyful when all is well. But if you remain joyful even in times of much pressures and frustrations, you truly manifest the fruit of the Spirit. People may not understand the secret, but they cannot deny the reality of the manifestation. I am of the opinion that Christianity will become more attractive when we begin to have more joyful brethren all over the place. Jesus said, “By their fruits, you shall know them.”

3: You Obey the Law of Christ

The Scripture says, “Rejoice always” (1Thess 5:16), “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4 RSV). In inspiring these words, GOD knew there would be times when it would seem heaven is crashing on you. Nevertheless, He says, “Rejoice, for I am with you and I will help you.” Though darkness surround you by day, your sky by the night o’ercast, let nothing your spirit dismay, but trust till the danger is past. Rejoice! Rejoice! Be glad in the LORD and Rejoice! (SS&S 207:4). Rejoice, for Jesus desires that your joy be full.

4: You Receive the Physical Strength to Cope

You surely need to be physically strong to be able to efficiently and effectively carry out your duties. A sick man cannot do much! Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (NKJV). Nehemiah declared to the people of Israel that the joy of the LORD is their strength.

Joy is actually dynamic energy – energy to do work. That is why when someone brings good tidings to you, you suddenly jump up or shout or throw your arms high or … You must do something, even if it is to smile. Joy in what you do can keep you going for much longer than you think. Joy can keep hunger away. Joy can keep sleep away. Joy can keep fatigue away. Joy can keep distractions away; Oswald Smith describes this phenomenon as the expulsive power of a new-found affection.

5: You Receive the Psychological Strength to Cope. 

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken” (RSV). The pressure on you may be quite much, but joy in your heart will make it appear very light. People will see you and be surprised at how much you actually do. It is not possible for work to weigh you down when you really enjoy it. Instead of seeing the work as a distraction, you will see a bigger picture of how your present work achieves integrated development for you and prepares you for the future. You will also exude great confidence.

6: You Receive the Motivation to Put In Your Best 

Everybody needs motivation and appreciation, and most seek to be motivated externally and appreciated by people. But experience shows that you may never get enough motivation and appreciation from people – either because they do not know the extent of your contribution and impact (real workers do not blow their own trumpets), or they do not really care. Serving with gladness provides the biggest motivation you can ever require, and it is internal.

This motivation will empower you to seek for ways to do your work more efficiently and effectively. It is generally true that whatever can be done can be done better; and we have all seen workers who are really encumbered by their work. They spend too much time on a simple task, or are seen fixing problems they could have easily prevented by proper planning. When motivated in this way, you will even go the extra mile to acquire skills that will improve your efficiency and effectiveness.

7: You Attract Favour

Joy is contagious. Enthusiasm is contagious. People cannot neglect you for long as the joy that exudes from you will be attractive. People will be very willing to assist you in any way they can. GOD will release His own favour upon your life, and all men shall see it.

In conclusion, whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it. That is the biggest remuneration you can ever wish for. Convince yourself that this is what you really want to do and put your heart to it. But if you cannot derive joy from your work, my candid advice for you is to quit until you can. If you don’t, you will suffer frustration. You will burn so much energy and achieve so little. Trust me: that will not be good for your academics – which was what brought you to this institution in the first place.

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(First Appeared in Anglican Students Fellowship (ASF) Unilag’s “Every Word” Publication, 2012 Edition (as EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY AMIDST YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES (2)))