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Good morning, Saints; greetings from Crean Lutheran High School in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Many who read our Saturday devotions may recognize that sometimes our devotions chronicle happenings in our Saints community. It is a blessing to be able to encourage others through the Saturday Devotions and share the Word of God. I appreciate the opportunity, and I also appreciate Pastor Unke’s dedication to joining me in writing, editing, and growing as we prepare weekly devotions for the community. The truth is, we get more out of it than imaginable.
Today’s devotion seeks to have us think about the blessing of our “lens of faith” in our understanding and how we view the world. It is our honor, commitment, and blessing to teach at Crean Lutheran High using God’s Word. I often remind others that our faculty and staff have dedicated themselves as forgiven Christians in loving Jesus daily, loving our students (and families), and getting to teach through a lens of faith!
Not only do our faculty and staff have the opportunity to engage our community through the lens of faith, but so do our key leaders. Each year, our key leaders (this year eleven) meet ahead of the academic year to ready the team and to discuss the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon the ministry, the challenges we face, and the opportunities to embrace. This year, as a team, we engaged in a discussion about Christian leadership using a book that we believe was a worthy read and has led to great and deeper discussion. Lead Like Christ, reflecting the qualities and character of Christ in ministry, by A.W. Tozer, has been an excellent study tool and valuable journey for our team.
Last week we discussed God’s amazing grace in the CLHS ministry and each of our lives as we reviewed Chapter 13 - Teaching the Attributes of God’s Grace. We had an interesting and important discussion about the lens of faith and believing. In his book, Tozer pointed to a quote from St. Anselm of Canterbury, who famously said, “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe so that I may understand.” This extended statement was based on a shorter quote from St. Augustine, “Believe so that you may understand.” Tozer goes on to say, “In the believer, faith always comes first. Then he can think as deeply, intensely, widely, and imaginatively as he wants because his thinking is built on the foundation of faith. He [the believer] rises above reason but never above faith.” (Tozer, pg. 117)
I wanted to share that conversation in this Saturday Devotion because it clearly speaks to using God’s Word and believing in order to shape the lens of faith, and by doing so, broadens and deepens understanding. It also does this for our students' understanding. In today’s crazy, upside-down, and mixed-up world, a lens of faith to shape our understanding is critical. Romans 10:17 says it this way, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40. Understanding requires trust in self, but believing requires trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Broadening our understanding is only possible through believing and is the lens of faith.
God’s Word is a blessing in our faith journey, in believing, and in understanding. It is a blessing in the lives of our students and families. This lens of Christian faith shapes our worldview, a Biblical worldview. I like what Joe Neff from Rooted Schools shares in his book Biblical Worldview; below is a paraphrase.
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