By: JefF and Kristin richardson, school ministry team members

We look at the world around us and see it being torn apart … division, hatred, fear, anger. When it can be so easy to join in with the world, what has God called us to do as a covenant community?

Uncertainty

This is a different school year … a different world than we have ever experienced. We are all trying to learn how to navigate the current circumstances, and the uncertainty of this season has brought fear in large quantities - it might be fear of the virus, fear of side effects, fear of job loss or financial ruin, fear of a poor economy - but it all boils down to fear. Uncertainty has also brought anger in large quantities - anger and fear often go hand in hand. We are angry at the government, angry at the virus, angry at others who are not acting the way that we think they should. We aren’t sure who or what to listen to or how to even make decisions. 

Regardless of which “side” you are on, we bet fear and anger have been a part of your last six months. They have been for us.

The enemies of community

Anger and fear are the enemies of community (and the unity, love, and support that come with community). Where does the enemy want us? Separated. Alone. Angry. Fearful. We all know this.

But the enemy is crafty. He comes at us in subtle ways. He wants us to think we are right and justified. He can substitute patriotism, generosity, self-sufficiency, and other seemingly good things to keep us from focusing on the most important thing … showing and sharing God’s love to others no matter the circumstances.

One absolute truth

How can we fight the enemy? How can we fight the effects of this virus? Is it with masks and quarantines? Is it by standing for our rights and supporting businesses? 

Maybe it doesn’t have anything to do with any of that …  

The only way we can fight the issues of fear and anger is to stand together, support each other, and love each other exactly where we are.

If you are black or white or brown - we love you. If you decide to wear a mask everywhere you go or if you feel like you need to stand for your personal rights to not wear a mask - we see you. If you decide to homeschool your children or if you decide to allow your children to attend school - we support you. There is one absolute Truth that we can stand on. And it has nothing to do with any of those things.

unity

Our school cannot thrive without unity among believers. Unity above our agenda. Unity above the virus. Do we want to let these present circumstances get the best of us? Because “winning” is not getting others to our side. “Winning” is coming together and supporting each other despite of our differences.

And it’s hard! It does not come naturally. It takes God’s power working through us every single day.  

unity in our community

We want to start this year off with a challenge - will you stand with us to love each other well and have unity in our community when all we are seeing in the world is disunity? 

Can we put our community above our agenda?  

It is intimidating to write this because we know that we cannot do this on our own … in our own flesh. Our flesh wants everyone to think like we think, to do what we do, to look and act like us. And if we write this, then you all will be watching us and holding us accountable, and we know won’t be able to walk this line perfectly. 

But the beauty here is that we need this community (and the work of the Holy Spirit) to help us live it out correctly.

We hope and pray that as we love each other how God has called us, we will see amazing things happen in our community and in our own hearts this year.