Good Morning everyone.
Let’s make our beginning this morning
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Someone once asked me what the biggest difference between elementary and high school is and I shared the immediacy. The high school years go by so fast. Those freshmen that “sauntered” in here four years ago are now thinking about where they will be attending school next year. Along the way they learned to drive – or at least took driving lessons – I’ve been hit twice in the lot this year J, they have learned life lessons, they have discovered things about themselves they did not know before. They have won and they have lost, they have laughed and cried, celebrated and mourned.
One of the great joys you and I get to experience in working here is we get to be a part of the process. God lets us be a part of their lives – their memories. A privilege and an honor for us – may we never take it for granted.
To a part of the purpose of helping students internalize the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus is an important responsibility. We need to keep growing in our walk with the Lord to help them grow in their walk.
One of my favorite leadership guys is Pastor John Maxwell. He has written many books over the years. One of the most significant to me was “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. The first Law was called the “Law of the Lid”. In a nutshell, Maxwell said that people within an organization can never grow higher than the leadership level of the leader. If the leader is a 5, the organization cannot grow past a 4. If the leader can grow to an 8 then the organization can grow to. His challenge was to help leaders see they need to keep growing. Raise your lid and those around can continue to grow.
In a retreat that was held recently with BoD and the Executive Admin team there was poignant moment when the purpose of the school was being reaffirmed. It was stated that if we ever compromise our purpose we should shut our doors, there is no reason for our existence.
My point is this – as we lead in this place towards our purpose – to help kids keep growing – we need to be growing as well. God’s Word is a place where we can never learn all there is to know – there is always new learnings awaiting us.
One of my new learnings happened recently. It is the transformation of Joshua into being the leader of the children of Israel.
· Deuteronomy 31:6 – Moses to the people
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
· Deuteronomy 31:7 – Moses to Joshua
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.
· Deuteronomy 31:23 – God to Joshua
The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."
· Joshua 1:6 – God to Joshua
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
· Joshua 1:9 – God to Joshua
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
· Joshua 1:18 – God to Joshua
Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"
It took many messages to Joshua, from Moses first and then from God directly, but at some point, after several victories, he owned those words. He then shared them with the people.
· Joshua 10:25 – Joshua to the people
Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."
This story was told and retold from generation to generation and the words were shared with others centuries later.
· 1 Chronicles 22:13 – David to Solomon
Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
· 1 Chronicles 28:20 – David to Solomon
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.
· 2 Chronicles 32:7 – Hezekiah to people
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.
There is so much hidden in God’s Word awaiting for us to learn and grow and help others grow.
I heard a speaker recently share that as we are growing, we should be sure to surround ourselves with people we want to emulate in our walk. He also shared that we should make our growth a priority – clear time in your day for that purpose – don’t leave it to happenstance.
Good advise.
Find your way into His Word. Our students are depending on us to grow so that they too can grow.
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