Summer is Almost Over. What Now?

Whether after a killer spike in volleyball, a masterful upper corner shot in the soccer goal, a touchdown pass, or a perfectly completed marching band performance in a town parade, one popular expression today is “What Now”.  And it’s usually accompanied by a bit of a fun, energetic, and sometimes arrogant, tude.

Well, summer is about over, what now?

What are you going to do with this next school year? There are many approaches to school… “I dont care”, “Whatever”, “I just want to pass”, “I want to do well”, “I will do my best”, “I want to get on the A/B honor roll”, or  “I want to be a straight A student (4.0 plus)”.

Let’s face it, as a teen, it’s easy to find a ton of excuses why to not care about school and not do your best…homelife, friends, goverment funding is down, not believing education is important personally, and on and on.  So, what now?  How about a change

Decide now to do something different!  Start right now thinking about making this your best school year ever. How?

Try this one thing to start with, live according to this: “Participate in school, do your homework, do your best, work as hard as you can ‘for Christ’ and His glory” first instead of for anyone or anything else (paraphrase of Colossians 3:23).   If Jesus is who the Bible says He is, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Creator, Savior, and much more (I Timothy 6:15; I Peter 2:21-25).  He is worth doing your best school work for, at least.  After all, He was crucified, buried, and rose again to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind (I Corinthians 15; John 3:!6).  All who believe receive forgiveness, a relationship with Him, eternal life, and much more (Philippians 3:20).

What now?  You may want to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus – you can check some other posts I have that specifically address this.  Or, you may need to begin to pray and think about what this is going to look like.  It starts with a heart change, a heart desire to honor God.  You may need to get more rest, cut out little things that distract you.

For those who commit to this change, let me know how it goes.  I am confident you will have some challenges and some great days.  In the end, and in the process, the issue is “Did you give God glory by doing your best for Him (in school and in everything)”.

So… What now?

Time for you to get busy.

Andy Woodall
Andy Woodall served as the Pastor of Student Ministries at Faith from 1999-2012.