Back to School

It's been a busy week so far in the Jordan household. Not only are we trying to get re-acclimated from enjoying some vacation time, but we are back in the rat race as school resumed for Ethan this past Monday. It really can be dizzying going from one week of fun in the sun to the next with alarm clocks, bed times, and homework. We certainly are not alone, however; many families are working to adjust to new routines and responsibilities, and many more will next week as Fayette and other counties join back in with the school fun. 

Something that occurred to me in seeing some of the things that have come home the first couple of days this new school year is that teachers are working to catch the children back up from two-plus months of summer bliss. This is necessary, because no matter how you slice it, review is important. When we are not as engaged in reading, writing, and arithmetic, those skills need to be fine tuned. According to Dr. Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychology at Duke University and the director of the program in education, test scores were, on average, at least one month lower when students returned to school in the fall than when they left in the spring. So over the next couple weeks, as students return to the world of classrooms and textbooks, they will spend some time reviewing the foundational things they will need to remember in order to build upon for the new academic year.

Never having been an educator in the academic sense of the word, I can imagine there are certain advantages and disadvantages to having to spend precious time in reviewing older material. On the other hand, when talking about foundational material, there are some things we will always need to remember, like 1+1 will always equal 2; 'i' always comes before 'e' except after 'c'; and that there are always exceptions to every rule. 

The Apostle Paul was a very intelligent and well educated man. This was an advantage for him as he sought to bring the good news of Jesus to people all over the world. This education could have been a stumbling block for him, however, if he expected everyone to know everything that he knew. Instead, Paul dedicated his life of sharing Jesus to one not-so-little fact, and that is that it all comes back to GOD. In 1 Corinthians 2.1-5, Paul wrote, "When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

Paul would never be one to promote forgetfulness, but what he would say is that we need to remember to "keep the main thing the main thing." This is something we all will do well to remember. We must remember that we are called to serve GOD by serving others; to share the love of GOD wherever we go; and shine the light of GOD wherever we are. So while trying to get back into the swing of new routines (even if that is just adjusting to morning or afternoon traffic with school busses), may we remember what Paul told us we must never forget, and that is that GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son -- Jesus -- that whoever believes in Him will never perish but have life everlasting! (John 3:16)

May this season of new beginnings and new opportunities begin by remembering that it all comes back to the love of GOD. When we build our lives on the knowledge of Christ's love, then we will see the world differently, as well as the opportunities that life presents. 

Have a great rest of this first week of school, and if it's your last week of summer, enjoy! Regardless, I hope to see you in worship on Sunday!