On Starting a New School Year

This morning when I couldn't sleep (yeah, probably too much coffee in meetings yesterday!) I began to think and pray for the

students of Asbury as they get ready to start back to school today.  High School and Middle start, and then the lower grades (including my Sarah) start back in a staggered way through the week.

And, let's not forget our teachers and staff that started last week, but welcome their classes today.

And, for many of you that read this, you started back last week, or are getting ready to start in the coming days/week.

So, as I began to think about the start of a new year and what that means for each of us, the Lord laid a verse upon my heart.  It's 1 Corinthians 10:31.  Listen to what it says:

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Simple, right?  But powerful.

Students, do everything thing you do this year to glory of God. That involves the way that you treat each other. That involves the way that you treat the new and the unpopular. That involves the way you do your work, make your friends, spend your time.

You aren't just marking time to graduation. You are living for God. And my prayer is that everything you do, you do it to God's glory.

Teachers, this is the first day of a long year.  Lots of kids, lots of regulations, lots of work and worry.

You don't do this for yourself.  You do it for God's glory.  Every moment is a chance to impact a child. Every moment is a chance to make a difference. Every moment of this year is a sacred moment.

Do it the glory of God. Even when you are tired, worn out, and stressed out.

Remember your high calling.

And parents, we have a responsibility as well. Parents, we need to be praying. For our students and our teachers. We need to be supporting, our students and our teachers. We need to be living out this notion - do it all to God's glory.  We as parents need to realize that our parenting is an means to glorify God and give Him honor.

So, all of us. Students, teachers, and parents, as we start this new school year, let's make sure that we do it all to glorify God.  He made us, He loves us, and He is with us.

May we honor Him with all we do in this day, in this year, and in all our lives.