Back to School
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
When oxygen masks are deployed on airplanes, passengers are supposed to put on their own mask first before helping children or others. While this may appear selfish, getting one’s own mask on enables a person to be lucid enough to help others. While our previous two devotions have focused on imparting Christian education to others, we should not neglect first getting the necessary “oxygen” from God’s Word so that we are ready bring that life-giving power to others. Whether or not we are still in school, this time of year can provide us another attempt at what psychologists call a “fresh start date” (like the new year or a birthday), which provides a time to reflect and restart. How are you doing on your own Christian education?
A temptation that Christians can have is the feeling that we already know everything. Why go to church or Bible class? Haven’t we heard all the same stories over and over again? Why continue to read the Bible on own or study the catechism? Dr. Martin Luther, the learned theologian, provides a good example. He wrote about the catechism: “I must still read and study daily, and yet I cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and pupil of the Catechism, and am glad so to remain.” We are never too old to memorize, recite, and meditate on the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostle’s Creed and to study the Bible.
As we continue into the fall, let us use the idea of back-to-school to redirect our lives back to the Bible and its teachings. Though we will fail on this earth to achieve a perfect understanding of the Bible, may we ask God for forgiveness in neglecting His Word and for the desire to dwell in it daily.
Heavenly Father, direct our hearts and minds to the study of Your Holy Word, so that we may grow in faith. Amen.