Back to School

Pause

Every person’s life tells a story. Sometimes our lives—quite unexpectedly—become part of God’s larger narrative.

The potential is there at any time, in any moment.

Prepare yourself now for what you may least expect—for the voice of God to join with yours in telling the story that is your life.

Listen

By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:5-6

Think

Dear Diary,

Who in the world was Enoch? We don’t really know his story because there’s not one; it’s sort of a mystery.

Enoch was the father of the oldest man in the Bible, Methuselah, who lived 969 years. Enoch’s dad, Jared, lived to 962. Other than that, today’s text is the most detailed passage about Enoch. Whoever he was, he must’ve been good; he’s one of only three people—Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus—who were “taken up into heaven.” God rewarded Enoch for his faith, making Enoch an unexpectedly interesting part of God’s story. Hebrews says God “rewards those who seek him,” and that includes you today.

This school year is very much a mystery, too. You will encounter many things this year—some expected and some not—but they can all be woven together to become part of God’s story—if you will let God write it!

Steve Cothran

Pray

Faithful God, help me to be faith-full this year. As I walk the halls of my school, help me to walk with you and to please you just like Enoch did. Amen.

Go

It’s easy to think you are alone, that no one else experiences life like you do.

But go now into your day knowing this: God has not left you alone, and your struggles are much the same as everyone you know and those you don’t know.

God understands. God accepts you. And God is leading the way.