The Beauty of Going Back to School

Dr. Salzmann encourages education transformed by faith.

Cool mornings spent walking with neighbors. Poolside laughter. Campfires under stary skies. Gone are the lazy transcendent days of summer. 

As the warmth and wonder of the summer season dwindles, the return to school becomes evident.  Family suppers need planning. Bedtimes need reconfiguring. The morning hustle becomes exhausting.  Summer’s more leisurely pace is traded for the grind of routines and commitments.  Worries may begin to surface. Feelings of being overwhelmed can take over.  School can become a chore to be conquered rather than enjoyed. 

Take pause and take heart. Recall St Paul who said, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”    The Bible hails education as a divine gift.  It is meant to enrich our lives and deepen our relationship with God. This idea is deeply rooted in the Old Testament.   Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, prayed for wisdom above all else. Isaiah believed being taught in the ways of the Lord brought peace. Daniel was given all understanding.  The New Testament continues this emphasis on learning.  Jesus, the master teacher, used parables to elevate the mind and soul. Such education, not separated from our faith, can become an expression of our faith. This is fueled by the many gifts of the Holy Spirit. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, formal education can become a pathway to our spiritual transformation. So be grateful for the return to school.  Know within all the chaos and commotion of this season, transcendence also lies in wait.