Back to the Rhythm
It might sound silly but every first day of high school I had a mini cry. From freshman year to senior year and probably the years before that. It was the end of summer, the end of my restful summer rhythm, and it felt like I was jumping headfirst into stress. What’s even crazier is that I was always nervous about having friends- even though I was going to be with the same people that I had known since kindergarten. After the first week would go by, I would realize that there was nothing to worry about, but it was always that pesky anticipation that made me a knot of worry.
2 Timothy 1:7 says,
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.
Before we jump headfirst into worry, we must remind ourselves of the Truth. Paul starts off 2 Timothy with words of encouragement and thanksgiving as he reminds Timothy of all the work and ministry that they had previously done. He is mostly reminding Timothy of the faith he displayed in the last few years and the strong family of believers that established him in the faith. This act that we see of building Timothy up in faith is something that we can relate to! We may be starting new school years, but we have done this before!!! We have survived math class, made it through some really questionable school lunches, finally mastered our locker combinations, but most importantly- we have battled the first day fears and shined as lights for Jesus in the halls of our schools. Let’s work together to remind ourselves of what we have accomplished through Jesus and get back into the new rhythm!
Guided Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
As we start school back this week allow me to remember what your word says in 2 Timothy 1:7. That you have not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit full of power, love, and sound judgment. I pray that the Holy Spirit in me will hold me to what your Word says and that I will trust in you and not lean into fear this week. Be with my teachers as they are preparing to teach us, be with my parents as they help us get adjusted while they are also trying to get adjusted, and be with my peers while they may be fighting the same fears that I am. Allow me to feel your perfect peace layered over me as I enter school and begin this year. Finally, use me as your hands and feet at my school and allow me to make a difference for the Kingdom in my halls, classrooms, and in all my extracurricular activities. Thank you Jesus for the gift of grace and the weight as which it cost, allow me to not take the cross for granted.
Amen