Depopulation and the Looming Catastrophe
Sam Kastensmidt
Students, as you gear up for the new school year, you likely feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. You’ll have new teachers, classmates, experiences, and opportunities. To make the most of this fresh beginning, I offer eight suggestions to help you thrive during the upcoming academic year.
Each suggestion is built around the truth expressed in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Every day, you will have opportunities to honor God in the presence of the people around you: classmates, teammates, teachers, coaches, family, and more. So, what does it look like to glorify God in all you do as the school year begins? Here are my suggestions.
"Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). What does it look like to glorify God in all you do as the school year begins?
During the upcoming school year, I encourage you to focus on nurturing your personal relationship with Christ. This is a journey only you can embark on; neither your parents nor your pastor can walk this path for you. So, take the reins and commit to growing in your walk with Jesus, one day at a time. This is your opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.
If you commit to this, you’re in for a powerfully transformative year, and you will make an impact on the people around you. The Bible says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). It doesn’t matter how young you are, how high your IQ is, or what you look like. God will work through you to impact his kingdom. This is a year of hope and transformation.
In the very beginning, God created human beings as workers. And as a young man or woman, your primary work is school, so do your best. Work hard, turn in your assignments on time, respect your teachers and classmates, and remember that your identity is in Christ. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” (Col. 3:23).
Many of you will participate in athletic programs. That’s great! But I challenge you to ensure your identity is rooted in Christ rather than in the sport you play. If you do that, you won’t be tempted toward arrogance when things go your way or toward despair when things don’t go so well. What’s more, how you carry yourself on the field or in the gym will reflect your faith: you’ll remember that everybody around you—coaches, teammates, opposing players, refs, and fans—is created in God’s image and should be respected in that way. So, suit up, play your best, and leave the rest to God.
Many students are gifted by God in the arts and choose their elective courses and extracurricular activities to reflect their gifts. Whether in rehearsal or on the stage, the arts are a magnificent opportunity to glorify God. The transcendent beauty of good art speaks to the beauty of our Lord. So, be wise with what you say and how you carry yourself so that the Lord can work through your artistic giftings to glorify himself.
Those short periods in the hallway between classes or the cafeteria during lunch may feel insignificant, but they are valuable moments. Your time spent in these spaces often involves conversations with others. Be wise with what you say and how you say it. Be careful not to say hurtful words (Eph. 4:29). Find ways to encourage a struggling person (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Make the best use of your time in conversation (Col. 4:5-6), and so forth. The point is this: even the small, seemingly insignificant moments of the school day matter to God and should also matter to you.
By the time Friday arrives on a school week, you’ve had enough! You’re ready to take a break and do something different for a couple of days. That’s good. Everybody needs a break. So, spend some time with friends and families, engage in life-giving activities, and get some extra sleep. But above all, remember this: although the weekend is a break from the rigors of school, it shouldn’t be a break from your calling as a Christian. So, exhibit your maturity in Christ by honoring him on the weekends just as you do during weekdays.
Sunday is a significant day. It is the last day of the weekend, but the beginning of the following week. So let me challenge you to do something that most young people aren’t mature enough to do: embrace the gathering of God’s people at church on Sunday, not because of your parent’s faith but because of your own. Meaningful involvement in church is vitally important because it provides an identity line tethering us to God and his people. It makes you identifiable as a follower of Jesus and part of his people. Embrace that identity and enjoy the benefits that will accrue over the years.
Finally, don’t forget that God placed you in a home under the guidance of your parents or other guardians. He calls you to honor your mother and father (Deut. 5:16, Matt. 19:19) whether or not you agree with their decisions. He calls you to love your siblings as well, as challenging as that can be. So, remember that God calls you to love them just as Christ loves us (Eph. 5:2). Do this, and you’ll never regret it.
There they are—eight ways to start the new school year strong. As you head back to campus for the first day of class, seize the opportunity to be your own man or woman by practicing your own Christian faith. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Do this, not merely because your parents or pastor want you to but because you are growing in maturity and want to make the most of your life for Christ and his kingdom.
No spam, stay up to date on new articles, resources and events!
Get notified about new articles from the Institute.
