On Tuesday, February 15, we will have a morning announcement and prayer over the intercom to kick off our participation in the 2022 ACSI Day of Prayer. The theme this year is "flourish" and the verses for that day come from Ephesians:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV)
"Flourishing" is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “developing rapidly and successfully; thriving.” Just how does a person develop successfully and thrive? These are signs that one is doing well, and there may be many ways of defining this in our culture. We know that people are created in the image of God and their purpose is to glorify God. How do we accomplish this purpose well, or, asked another way, how do we flourish in this purpose? The way to ensure you glorify God as intended is to be in a relationship with Him, and this is only possible through the beautiful work of Christ.
People flourish when they submit themselves to the authority of Jesus as Lord. As we obey and walk in His good commands, our hearts will become attuned to His desires and we flourish in this life on this side of eternity.
I encourage you all—teachers, parents, mentors—please, have a conversation with your students this week about how an active relationship with Jesus allows us to flourish.
Next Tuesday, students from PreK to grade 12 will meet for all-school chapel in the Worship Center from 9:45-10:15 am. Secondary students will meet their younger Eagle Pals at their respective classrooms at 9:45 am to accompany them and sit together. There will be a brief message focused on this very subject—the importance of human flourishing through a relationship with Christ—and there will be a time for the secondary students to pray with their Eagle Pals.
We can't wait to participate in the ACSI Day of Prayer together on February 15.
Erich Lehmann
Spiritual Life Director