Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn. Psalm 37:5-6, NIV
Every school year begins with countless plans, schedules, and expectations. Yet before we commit ourselves to lesson plans and classroom routines, Scripture reminds us to first “commit our way to the Lord.”
When we intentionally place God at the center of a new school year, He often works in ways we never anticipated. One group of teachers at my elementary school experienced this firsthand…
Years ago, they started a faculty tradition on the first teacher workday. They walk around the school and personally invite each of the staff members to come for prayer during their off-duty lunch. Typically, about twenty staff members, including the principal and associate principal, gather for prayer. One or two teachers share a Scripture or Scriptures God places on their hearts. Then the group holds hands, and anyone who feels called to pray does so out loud. They offer thanks to God along with requests for guidance and other needs. They pray for students, staff, parents, administration, and school board members. Many times, staff members are wiping away tears at the end of twenty to thirty minutes of spontaneous prayer!
How is God calling you to “commit your way to the Lord” this year? Perhaps He is calling you to begin a prayer gathering. Or maybe He’s inviting you to simply ask one believing colleague if you can pray together before school starts. Today, ask the Lord to lead you to those with whom you are to pray. Never underestimate what God can do through two or three educators who faithfully seek Him together.
Lord, lead us to join other staff members who have faith in You to dedicate this school year and our careers to You. Give us the courage to begin to naturally acknowledge You before others where we work without shame, guilt, or fear. Amen.
Copyright Don Clark.
Don is a retired elementary special education teacher. He faithfully served for many years as the Houston area director for Christian Educators.
