Mid August brings all kinds of emotions and changes depending on who you are, what you do and if you have children. Today is the first day of school for most of our community. More than likely, children and teenagers are wondering what happened to summer- didn’t it just start last week. Some Parents may be breathing a sigh of relief thinking “finally I didn’t think this day would ever come”. While others, who are dropping off their student at college or maybe even the first day of Kindergarten are feeling an entirely different set of emotions. And let’s not forget all those who work in the education field in one way or another: teachers, bus drivers, administrative personnel, etc. Who may or may not be ready to get back to the routine of the school year.

In many ways the routine the school year provides is a good thing. Everyone has a schedule, I can more easily figure out what day it is-something I tend to struggle with during the summer. There are things that have to be done or should be done everyday. It provides a comfort for those of us who need a routine. But I’m forced to admit that routines are not always a good thing. We can become rigid and inflexible or easily fall back into old habits and behaviors.

Let me see if I can explain.  This summer I have been doing quite a bit of reflecting on Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” One of the things I’ve come to realize is how easy it is for us to be on the wide and broad road. There are so many on this road. They seem successful and happy. And, let’s just be honest it’s an easier path to walk. For some, summer has been a time or season of life change. Some of those changes good and some not so much. My mind quickly goes to students that gave their lives to Jesus in the early months of summer and will now be going back to school as a Christ follower. How easy is it going to be for them to move from the narrow path to the wide one? Falling back into routines and habits without even realizing. I don’t say this with any judgement, but from personal experience. I have been a Christ follower most of my life and more times than I’d care to admit I stop and look around only to find that I am on the wide and broad path once again. Most of the time I don’t even realize I’ve moved off the narrow path.

For some of us, this new start might be seen as a fresh start or a reset. We have thoughts like: This year is going to be different, this year I will invite that friend to church, this year I will read my Bible every day, etc.. Intentionality. Daily surrender. Prayer. Accountability. These are just of a few of the things that will be needed to make this year different. I’m convinced it won’t happen by accident, in fact our enemy Satan will be fighting against us every step of the way. We must prepare for battle and that starts with having a plan.

I write this today as much for myself as for anyone who may read it. This summer God has consistently and routinely broke my heart for His people, adults and students alike. As I step back and look at my life and the things I do. I am humbled by the blessing and privilege that God has given me. Working part time at a preschool enables me to be involved in many things and meet a lot of different people. Some of those people know Jesus, some do not. I do not want to fall back into old habits and routines. I want to stay on the narrow and more difficult road this year. And I realize that I cannot do this alone. I must take the time to develop a routine for spending daily time alone with God, studying His word and making myself spend some intentional time in silence and solitude. Additionally, I need to intentionally build and invest in relationships with those people who will be honest with me and hold me accountable.  

Why not take some time this week, before routines and schedules get formed and pray about which road you will travel this year? If it’s the narrow one, then take the time to make a plan. And let me know as well, I’d love to come alongside you in prayer and encouragement!