School is here! As a teacher, and a son of teachers, I have always loved learning. Learning is something that all of us do, from the time that we enter into this world to the time that God calls us home. This is why I wanted to focus on school this week, as Vacation Bible School is here for our kiddos, and as public and private schools and colleges and universities are opening back up again!
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As adults, we can gain inspiration from our kids this week as they attend the MOST AWESOME Vacation Bible School, and we can thank God for Pastor Mary, Children's Minister Gracen, and all of the countless volunteers from our Church that are helping to run this fun, faith-filled learning experience for the children of our Church and wider community! We can also thank God that there are so many kids that still want to learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to be inspired to share His Love with everyone they meet in our world, especially in the face of so many challenges that we are facing around the world. Just read the news and we will see so many heart-wrenching things, hateful rhetoric, and divisions among us as people. But, with these distractions, we lose sight of the fact that we are all family in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can take a page out of the book of the kiddos this week, to really learn about God and our faith, and to restore our focus in growing in and sharing our faith with all people.
In one of the scripture readings for this week, Psalm 80: 1-2, & 8-19, we are reminded of God's greatness, leadership as our shepherd, and his saving grace. Just as he has done innumerable times throughout history, like leading the Israelites out of Egypt and Jesus leading his disciples through his ministry, God continues to live in and guide each and every one of us. We only need to "go to school, open the book, and allow our minds to be taught again" about his love for us.
Have you ever heard of the term "lifelong learning?" It is a concept that I truly love, as a school teacher myself, and most importantly, as a "student of God." The most awesome thing about learning is that we can always learn more. The only being who is truly all - knowing is God; although we may feel like we are the experts at times, and even question God, we are always his class. That also means that we are classmates together, as humans, one large family in Christ! We can remember this to always try to respect and love one another and to really try to continue learning about and growing in our faith.
The last verse, 19, of this Psalm really speaks to me. "Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." This is a continual process! God always restores us and saves us, even though we fall short. This is why it is so important for us to always continue learning - learning and growing from our mistakes, asking for forgiveness, and learning how to share God's love with all people.
Let's follow our children's' example this week as they go to VBS. Let's go to school ourselves! The best part is, there are no tryouts, entrance exams, or registration fees, or even "final exams" for this school. It's God's school, his church!
Let's learn about faith, hope, and love together, in Christ, our ULTIMATE TEACHER,
Joey
