My Facebook friends have been posting First Day of School pictures. In August? Oh my! It seems that in the last couple of weeks, families have been squeezing in a few more days of vacation as they anticipate a new school year. Teachers are requesting school supplies for students and getting classrooms ready. While the weather doesn’t say so, summer is over!
A few weeks ago, I blogged about preparedness. Not just for physical preparedness but for spiritual preparedness. As I watch the news and read online articles about what is happening in the world, I feel an even deeper need to be spiritually prepared. How about you? There is so much craziness going on. We are told that what was true is not and what was not now is. Does that make any sense? No.
My dad, the pastor, used to say that some people “were so heavenly-minded, they were no earthly good”. He was talking about people who went to church every time the doors were opened, watched only Christian programs on TV, and listened to only preachers on the radio and were not involved in any way with people who were not like them. (there’s nothing inherently wrong with doing any of those things!) Being connected to the Spirit, or heavenly-minded, does not mean that we should not be aware and involved with what is happening on the ground, doing earthly good. I think it means that we need to be in the world, but not of the world (2 Cor 10:3).
For parents, grandparents, and teachers of all kinds, who are preparing for a new school year, let’s not forget about being spiritually prepared. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. READ, READ, READ. Put on that whole armor of God, daily!
A new school year has begun and is beginning. September has always been the start of new things for me. When I was teaching school, September is when it all began. I am adjusting my thinking about August, in order to keep up! I have always felt both excitement and lament for summer ending and a new year beginning.
On the Church calendar, a new year is also looming. In terms of the biblical year, the Fall Feasts are rapidly approaching and are the start of a new year. So, what will this newness bring? What does God have in store for each of us?
I am meditating on Colossian 3:16, again, but in a new way. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The first phrase – ‘let the word of Christ dwell in you..’ Know what scripture says, read it, pray it, meditate on it. If the word of Christ is in us then we will have the tools necessary to ward off the evil around us. The significance of the word will show through our lives and help us as we make decisions on how to live in this crazy world. Because followers and disciples of Messiah know that the Adversary is looking for ways to distract us. This is a sign of the times. We must depend on God for strength to resist.
Most importantly, be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone (1 Peter 5:8).
Fellow pilgrims, we are on a journey. Stay on the straight and narrow path! Keep your eyes, heart, and mind focused on the truth. When you get discouraged remember:
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
Strength for today is mine always
And all that I need for tomorrow!
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
Shalom!
P.S. The corn is now taller than I am!
Comments