Thanksgiving, Remembering, and Overflowing
As the summer months revved up toward the red-line of activity in the final weeks before the start of school, I would always try to find a little time to somehow escape the endless flood of distraction and non-stop activity to try and listen for and discern God’s theme for our community for the coming year. In a similar fashion, I have been asking God for a theme to share with you all that might inform and inspire our work as members of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools.
My search for God’s theme for SAES this year happened to coincide with a transition into a new office space, which required a substantial clean out and reorganization of 30+ years worth of accumulated “stuff.” Through this bittersweet process, I was reacquainted with a graduation gift that I had received from my Young Life leader in High School - a Bible. The handwritten inscription on the front page of this Bible referenced the words of Paul to the Philippians, which I offer to you all as the inspiration behind our theme for this year: “Thanksgiving, Remembering, and Overflowing”
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
- Philippians 1:2-9
As you read and reflect on these words the apostle Paul, I wonder which words will resonate with you? For many, I suspect the words “grace” and “peace” and the idea of “giving thanks” will attract your attention. Others will likely connect with the notions of “joy” and “partnership” and carrying on the “good work.” If the national trends of leadership burnout offer any insight, then I suspect “imprisonment” and “defending and confirming the truth” may strike a chord with many of us as well. But regardless of what catches your attention, just know that SAES will be praying “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
With thanksgiving, remembrance, and an overflowing love,
Rob
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