PREPARE – 08-01-2022

PREPARE
August 1, 2022

Prayer: Dear Lord, we look to You to lead and guide this wonderful new school year. Amen

Scripture: The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us?” Ex. 33:14-16a NIV

The carpets smell of chemical cleaners and still seem a little damp; the bare floors shine; desks and classroom counters sit dust-free and empty; bulletin boards wait, chairs remain stacked, and books stored. This lifeless room won’t stay this way for long. Soon your work will be visible: creative, colorful posters will fill the walls; desks will be arranged in orderly fashion, name tags on each one; books will line the shelves; cupboards will burst with paper, workbooks, pencils, desk supplies. Your classroom will be decorated, and you will be ready to begin.

But wait just one minute! Have you prepared your heart and your classroom for the presence of Christ? Have you considered inviting Him to stay with you and your students throughout every day of this new school year? Have you taken to Him your fears, your hopes, and your inadequacies? Have you invoked His blessing on your work and on each of your students? Have you searched the Scriptures for a verse that will inspire you to be the best you can be for Christ this year?

In all your preparations, remember not only to prepare your classroom, but to prepare yourself as well. Christ alone knows what you will be facing in this new year. He alone can give you what is needed. Ask Him now to fill you by His Spirit, and make you into the teacher He intends, so that you may be fully ready to do the work He has planned for you.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.*

*From the hymn, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty by Joachim Neander

Copyright Shirley Wilson. To connect with the author, email [email protected]

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