Back to School

Tomorrow is our first day back to school here in Michigan, and I couldn't be happier. I love what I do. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what God made me for, and I am always thankful that I am able to serve him in this way. Teaching is a large part of who I am as a person...keeping that in its proper perspective is what I find difficult.

Jim Lange -- author, speaker, and friend of mine -- was the speaker at this Sunday's service, and he highlighted two verses that stuck with me. In Colossians 3:23, it states: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." In Psalms 46:10, however, God tells us: "Be still and know that I am God..." So which is it? Jim asserted that this apparent paradox of working hard and being still is a reminder to keep balance in our lives...keep things in their proper perspective and keep our priorities where they should be.

I'm not a Bible scholar, and it would seem that these two verses have been kind of stripped from their context here, but I think Jim hit on an important point here: God wants us to work hard, to be as productive as possible...but He doesn't want us to forget that He should be the number one priority in our lives.

I am the first to admit that I can quickly become consumed with grading, planning, researching, and all those things I do to be the best teacher I can -- often at the expense of family time and God time. Sometimes I catch myself when I get in this mode, but more often, my wife and kids catch me and correct me -- which they should. God also raps on my mental window during these times -- though he should never have to.

So my hope and prayer is that I strike the proper balance and keep the proper focus during this school year. I need to be disciplined in my devotions and prayers, committed to my wife and children, and inspiring to my students. God first, family second, students third...the three top priorities in my life.