Back to School 
Pause
For students, this season marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new year.
Every beginning has an ending. Time gets by so quickly that sometimes we can hardly keep up with the memories we are collecting along the way.
Endings sometimes come all too quickly. So there’s something to be said for taking every moment as something to be embraced and savored for as long as it lasts.
The God we serve, though, is not limited by time. The moments we spend in the presence of God, then, hold the possibility of timelessness.
Listen
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:24–25
Think
Christian hope is rooted in a living and active promise from God to us. That promise is an assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God—nothing. That goes for you, that goes for me, that goes for your classmates at school, that goes for everyone—even those we think of as our enemies—which will end up being a temporary thing anyway.
I want to offer a prayer for everyone reading this. My prayer is that during this school year, you will live a hopeful life, celebrating God’s promise of adoption, love, forgiveness, and eternal life. I pray that your Christian hope brings you a certain confidence and joy, knowing that God loves you and is with you this school year and always.
Rich Clark
Pray
Thank you for being the hope and light in the world and in my life, God. I’m counting on your enlightening and loving presence every day this school year. Thank you for being with me, with those I love, with those I serve, and with your whole creation. Amen.
Go
Go ahead and take that first step.
Is it risky? Of course.
That’s faith for you.
But remember,
Your faith is in God Almighty,
And God will not be moved.
You’re going to be just fine.
