Back to School and God

The day our parents let go of our little stubby hands and send us into the unknown world, they call it school, our hatred begins. I think it’s not so much the feeling of being in a strange place with a happy-go-lucky school teacher who smiles as if she was forced to. Rather it’s the anxious feeling we all get which makes us think that our parents left us in “the creepy place” as a punishment, and they might never come back. Why do you think we run to our parents as soon as we were unleashed from the school gates? As we get older though, we do realize the fact that school is a part of our life, no matter what. Nevertheless, there is one thing we all should look forward to at the beginning of each school year… summer.

Even though some of us funny people are a bit sad at the end of every school year, we all know that deep down, we all wish for something exciting every summer. The first week is always catching up on our deep sleep and then we really think of ways to spend the 53 days that we have left. Some of the big children easily get a job. Of course we are small children and we have to prepare an argument about how to get vacation enjoyment of working outside the home. Otherwise, at home we are learning housekeeping ethics, watering the garden, car washing, going to church, or continually studying school lessons, reading the Bible, and praying. Some of us should open our hearts for God’s field evangelism of house to house canvassing with our parents. And also we can do some volunteer work in our church publishing house. Unfortunately, those under 12 years old, like me, we cannot get a job. No matter how clever we are, but which parent would allow us to work outside the home? There is always a wonderful feeling during the last week of summer that this year went by too fast.

The thing that always reminds us of school is the back-to-school sales. Busy and lazy Moms really enjoy these fake sales because of stocking up. I really appreciate personally my Mom for stocking up on my school needs. In Canada, most schools open on September 4th, the best day on earth for our unhappy parents. However, if you really think about it, it’s a fresh start. On that day, we might be entering new classrooms, new schools, new environments, or the most challenging academic years of our life. Nonetheless, what we don’t realize in the course of worrying so much about the first day of school is that we are rejoining with old friends or even making new friends whom we know are true to us.

It is very easy to complete a 100km marathon, or become a popular athlete or we can run many continuous miles by cycling or we can become a scholar. But these all belong to physical fitness and success in life. Higher than this, we all need spiritual studies and training in our daily life. Exercise ourselves towards godliness. For bodily exercises profit for a very short time, but in the long run, godliness is very profitable for heavenly peace. “Having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Tim. 4:7,8. So my advice to all school children who believe in God and Jesus Christ–study the word of God very systematically, and pray in the morning before you go to school. Our bodies and minds are to be dedicated to God before starting our worldly activities. The goal is not spiritual muscle-flexing, but godliness,–a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Vigorous study of the word of God, focused and bodily discipline, are all part of the process.

How well we train greatly affects how we run the race of life, which starts in our school life. Do not try to fit in with the wrong, worldly crowd. Because, the more you pretend to the world, you will be a loser. Godly exercise is the main key to a godly character.

At the same time, obey you lovely parents and get up before sunrise. Listen very carefully to their instruction and advice. It might be strong advice you hear from your parents every single day, but please believe me, this advice had a bitter taste to me in the beginning, but now their advice actually works. I myself have tried it.
AMEN.

Shilshah A Chelliah, Canada