With a new term only days away, there is a sense of excitement for lots of students around the country.

At the same time, for myself and many others, there is a yearning for something more this year, to see our own lives changed, and to see God move in our cities.

As crazy, glorious, exciting, and frightening as it is, I cannot deny that the biblical narrative sees the church taking centre stage in His plan of restoration for this broken world. There's no getting away from it, but I struggle to put it into practice.

On Sunday evenings I believe I'm a world changer, but by the time Monday afternoon comes I'd rather sit by myself at my lecture than with the guy who's always on his own, and rather be playing Xbox than chatting to the local Big Issue seller. What's happened? 

I'm going to try and identify lies that stop us actively pursuing Jesus and really simply explain how God's truth smashes them to pieces. 

Lie #1. I don't have time. Truth #1. Disciples of Jesus make time.

Time management is one of the most difficult things about student life. How do I know what to cut? Caring about the marginalised is an inescapable part of life for those who have accepted the gospel of Jesus. Be intentional, do it with friends, and do it regularly. FOMO often dictates my weekly calendar, but the truth is that I can't be at everything, and God should take priority when planning my time. Made in Chelsea can always be found on 4oD, and I don't have to watch every premier league game, right?

Lie #2. I can't make a difference. Truth #2. With God, and others, I can make a massive difference. 

Often we believe that our contribution is so small that it isn't even worth offering. However, God calls us to start small. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that starts tiny but eventually takes over the whole garden! (Matthew 13) Start by giving 5 minutes to the guy you always walk by on the street, start paying that extra 50p for fairly traded goods, start looking into where your clothes have come from. Start doing the small things joyfully and I believe you won't be able to do anything but go bigger (check out Tearfund Rhythms for inspiration/conversation). I believe others will join you, and a movement of justice will grow in our nation.

Lie #3. I don't have enough money. Truth #3. Generosity is better. 

When it comes to a lot of students - we often think we're exempt from giving because we don't have an annual salary, but the fact is this: we all have money. Mark 12 shows how the widow gives out of her poverty, and Jesus loves it! Giving is a heart issue, not a money issue. Let's start as we mean to go on by living radically generous lives as students! (It is all his, after all)

Lie #4. People won't want to talk to me. Truth #4. God's approval is guaranteed.

The pursuit of justice, I am learning, is more than buying fairly traded products and sometimes stopping for the local homeless guy outside Tesco. Prayer and sharing the heart of God are equally important. We often live with the fear of rejection from peers. We need to stop expecting recognition and accept that rejection is part of the deal, but the approval of God is always more than enough! 

Lie #5. I don't feel like it today Truth #5. God does!

When I choose to live differently, more often than enough it's because I happen to be feeling good that day, or I'm just on the back of an encounter with God. I need to begin taking Jesus' commandments more seriously, and start letting His Word and His Spirit be a more important factor than my emotions. Easier said than done, but if we sincerely pray for strength and enthusiasm in times of tiredness and disillusionment, I have no doubt that God is waiting to step in!

Any suggestions of creative, fun ways of living differently are very, very welcome! Let's do this together!

Above all, let's retain our need for God. The moment we realise we can't do anything without Him is the moment He becomes very excited about what He can do through us!

Duncan is an Emerging Influencer with Tearfund and shares some of his aspirations for heading back to uni this week.