“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

Just when everyone gets settled into a comfortable summer routine, it seems the fun is over and the big yellow buses hit the road taking students back to school. Whether you have a child in school, work in a school, or just travel a road that passes a school, you are affected when that bell rings to signal that school is back in session.

Students return to school lamenting the passing of lazy summer days and acting as if they don’t remember what they learned just weeks earlier. Faculty and staff return to school and seem surprised at the lack of prep time and rush to get everything just right even though they have done the same start up routine for many years previously. Commuters are late for work that first day the big buses run because they forgot how congested the roadways are during peak travel times.  

I can’t help but see a connection between this back to school shock and my spiritual journey. I don’t know about you but looking back at my life I can easily identify times when I have strayed away or taken a “break” from my spiritual routine/training. Like those students who become lackadaisical over the summer and get out of the habit of studying, I have done that regarding my own personal, Christian growth.

It never fails, the spiritual vacation ends with the wake up call to go back to school so to speak. With some grumbling and complaining, I work to get back in the routine of a life centered on Bible study and prayer. Once I am back in the groove, it all comes naturally and I feel better and function more efficiently when I am focused on the right thing – my life with Christ. 

As we get older, a reminder to return to “the way ‘we’ should go” is important. Just like those students who are returning to their formal training and renewing the desire to learn, as Christians we need to return and renew our commitment to walking in the way of the Lord. 

So if you have taken a vacation from your spiritual journey, take this opportunity to go back to school as a student of God.

Remember those basic teachings and make the commitment to stretch yourself this school year and grow in your faith. The benefit you receive will be immeasurable and you will be surprised at how much you will add to your life through your love of learning and the scriptures.

Train and discipline yourself in prayer and devote time to studying the Bible. Then, even though you “go on vacation,” you will not depart from it. 

When that alarm goes off each morning, remember – Class is in session!