We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. Colossians 1:9b-10 (NLT)
I bet some of you are already jumping for joy that another school year is behind you. There may be some of you who have some time left, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some of you will be leaving favorite teachers and some of you will be glad that this year is behind you. Many of you may be moving to a different school next year. Change is always hard. But change is also exciting.
I’m guessing that many of you found the end of the year with pants that were too short and sleeves that didn’t go where they were supposed to. That’s a sign that you were growing and growing is always a good thing. I’m sure most of you know more now than you did last August when school began. Remember how exciting it was to finally master long division. (OK…so maybe that wasn’t your favorite part of math!) But how about the school band concert at Christmas or the spring choral concert? Or the time your team beat the cross-town rival?
Did you make a new friend this year? Did you share some special memories with old ones? Did you try something new in a sport or after-school activity? These are all signs that you have grown.
What about your spiritual life? Did you grow spiritually? Did you pray more often or read you Bible more frequently? Did you take your problems to the Lord this year? Did you see His answers to your prayers big and small? Did you rely on the Lord for your day-to-day concerns? Did you feel His comfort and peace?
God wants us to grow in faith and trust and belief. He wants us to come to rely more fully on Him. He wants us to seek his guidance and direction for our lives. He wants us to grow into someone whose heart is steadfast and whose hands are strong.
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112:7-8
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8 (NLT)
Has this year found you praying for the return of your mom or dad? Have you been praying for their salvation? For their return to the loving arms of Jesus and the open arms of your family? Has making this walk with your mom or dad helped you to grow spiritually? The Lord loves families and He loves to hear us pray for them. As we grow spiritually, we learn to trust in the Lord for everything. Think about some of the prayers you have prayed this school year and how the Lord has answered them. As we receive answers to our prayers, our faith grows. And as our faith grows, so does our confidence that no matter the circumstances, no matter how hard, no matter how long, God can and will reach down to heal our families.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
Make a promise to yourself for this summer. Promise to lean on the Lord for everything. As He holds you up and walks beside you, feel yourself growing spiritually. By the time the next school year rolls around, your spiritual strength will be enough to sustain you.
Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen! 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
Have a blessed, happy, and fun summer!
God bless
A Stander in Nebraska
