In the southern hemisphere we are in the beginning of the school calendar year, therefore the students, young and old are going back to classes after the vacation period. For me, going back to school after the break always meant a rebeginning. In December I would be distressed facing the exams to make it to the next grade, but then as the new year arrived, I would calm down with the opportunity to start over.
I would finish the year by supplicating to God for help to move to the next level, promising him that if he would help me, I would become a better student and things would be different in the coming year. God in his mercy would assent, but sadly I would end the following year making the same prayer.
I loved to begin the year with new school material, changing those old notebooks for new ones. It was like a second chance to start writing something new, different, and clean. Unfortunately, as the months went by, the new material would deteriorate, the fear of flunking would resurface, and the same plea to God would be made.
It has been a long time since I finished my formal studies, but there are many situations that make me feel the same frustration felt during those school cycles. As a student I had to understand that while my attitude wasn’t changed, my acts would continue the same, and therefore the results would remain unchanged. More than new school material, a new student was necessary.
My prayer shouldn’t have been for God to help me make it to the next level, but for him to help me change my attitude. Equally our prayer today mustn’t be for many achievements but for our attitude to be changed. The Bible teaches that more than just helping us, Jesus Christ can make us into a new creature!
Happy new self!
- How did you feel when starting the school calendar years?
- What attitude changes have you seen as a new creature?
(Triumphant life, 2 Corinthians 2:14 / New Creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Commissioner Torben Eliason is the Territorial Commander of the Southern Africa Territory.