For the first time in 20 years I’m not going back to school, and I had no excuse to join the shopping frenzy this tax-free weekend.  “Real life” begins tomorrow as I’ll join adults everywhere working full time.  Blah.

So anyhow, last night we did something beautiful at my church & it got me thinking about the running theme through my academic life.  As Sabbath came to a close, elders took handfuls of youth and spread out across the sanctuary in small pods of prayer.  They prayed for the students, the temptations the class of 2010 will face, for knowledge & wisdom in things both academic and spiritual.  I’ve been to Baptist, Methodist, Public, Boarding, & Adventist schools – no matter where you go – you’ll reach a point of decision.  You have to know who you are and why.  It’s a choice you have to make whether you attend a Christian or a public school.

We ended up debating Christian/Adventist education versus public school education, and I’m wondering if we’ve all missed the mark when it comes to true education.

“True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.”–Education, p. 13.

When you really think about it, if your faith can’t shine through in the midst of the darkness of public school or at the secular corporate office – your 20 years of Christian education isn’t worth much.  Wherever you’ll be when the bell rings tomorrow, my prayer is that we can hurry up and finish the work. I’d like to graduate and enter life eternal.  Now that real life is about to begin, and I’m flipping through the final pages of the baby book (marriage, first child, etc.) – I’m frankly just not so excited.  I’m wondering what your education is worth to you.  I’m wondering how you chose your pursuit for this particular vocation.   My challenge to you this semester is to stretch your academic experience to the max & fit true education on your schedule.  I’m wondering if you’ll make being for real the trend this academic year.

We’re praying with you.