Be Strong and Courageous
Well, the day has finally arrived! The first day of 2017-2018 school year. I'm not sure what this morning held for you and your child: maybe excitement, perhaps some nerves, or maybe some rushing around as you get used to a new routine. However you and your child are feeling at the start and end of this day, I wanted to take a moment to touch base with you.
One of my favorite parts of the first day of school is meeting for our first chapel together. It was good to see many of your there, but if you weren't able to make it, I want to share a recap with you. Today, Mr. Postma introduced our theme for the year from Joshua 1:9, "Be strong. Be courageous. I am with you." Or as our children will be learning in their Spanish classes, "Sé fuerte. Sé valiente. ¡Yo estoy contigo!" Mr. Postma taught us that these words were spoken by God to Joshua just after the death of Moses, a time that was probably full of uncertainty and some fear for all of the Israelites. On our posters hanging around school is a picture of a lion, but the placement of that lion is not to remind us that we are lions, but rather to conjure up the image of God as a the Lion of Judah, the source of our strength and courage. Mr. Postma shared these images with us to help us see the difference, and they are profound (and perhaps also a bit comical.)
If you or your child are feeling any of that fear or uncertainty today, I pray that this Biblical truth will find deep lodging in your heart. Wherever we go, even new schools, new classrooms with new teachers, friends, and languages, we know we go with God.
Later in the book of Joshua these words are spoken again, but this time by the people, to Joshua. I just love that! I love that Joshua and all of Israel hear the truth and encouragement from God and then speak it again over each other. That is true community, knowing God's truth and promises and encouraging each other to live in it. So on this first day of school, I'm saying to you, "Be strong and courageous! God is with you and your child!" May we find God-appointed moments to bless our children with this truth when things get tough or scary this year. May we find encouragement from each other as families and parents stepping out in faith again this year. And, may we be encourage our students to also speak this comforting promise to each other in their times together at school.
Below are two theme songs for our chapels this year, in case you want to learn, practice, and worship with them at home.
"Be Strong and Courageous"
"How Great is Our God" in Spanish (We learned the chorus and bridge)