Back to School

Pause

Summer began, and we were blessed to just let go and relax. As summer ends, we have to prepare for what is ahead, and that includes getting our backpacks in order.

As you prepare for school, or as adults prepare to get back into the regular schedule, the way we prepare and what we put into our backpacks prepares us for what we will face.

As you make your way through this day, take time now to make sure you have what you need to live out your calling.

Listen

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Galatians 5:22-23

Think

When society encourages us to fight for the top spot, to fulfill our own destinies, and to live our lives as individuals, gentleness can be seen as a sign of weakness. After all, if you are gentle, you can be perceived as a pushover. But someone filled with the gentleness of Christ is far from weak. In fact, they are stronger than most.

One filled with gentleness has confidence in that knowledge; more importantly, they know who they are in Christ, and they allow Christ to work through them. They gently plant seeds so that when God begins to nurture those seeds, there is more of a chance the seeds will “take” than when those seeds are forced upon someone.

Christ calls all of us to live gentle lives, knowing who we are and knowing who Christ is in us, so that God can use us as witnesses for the gospel.

Tim Tate

Pray

Gentle Shepherd, I am your sheep and I want to do your will. Gently lead me to share your love with all who cross my path. Amen.

Go

God has provided all that you need today.
Go with God’s provision, protection, and blessing.
Take what you have and share it,
Then look for God’s love at work
Within and around you.