Ten minutes of our lives this week were spent in a fire drill. These drills are to practise what to do in the event of an actual fire.
No one enjoys the disruption, other than students who may believe they are suffering more in their Maths lesson or perhaps in writing an English essay.
There are good reasons for holding a fire drill, and as I stood in my position at the front entrance of our school, dressed in a less than flattering cap and fire vest, I found myself reflecting on the value of being prepared for whatever life might throw at us: examinations, loss, fires, floods, pandemics. But many of life’s happenings are unexpected and cannot be prepared for. The first half of this year has certainly proven that.
Sometimes we are reminded that we cannot be in charge of what happens in life. Many in our community have suffered greatly this year, and I would like to express my sympathy for those who have in recent times lost jobs, income, security; those who are now needing to rebuild lives; those who have not been able to celebrate life events as we have been used to.
However, there is one truth that has not been affected, and that is the promise of a future with Jesus. With Him we can live lives that are fulfilling, are safe and have purpose. Furthermore, as we have already shared in the Calvin Newsletter, God has and will turn all things around for good for those who love Him.
“I am thankful for our partnership with our community, for staff who have worked so incredibly hard, for our students who have persevered in their studies...”
For example, in our preparation for 2021, we realise through providing distance learning in the Secondary School that we are now better equipped to offer online courses to students in other Christian schools’ senior classes and in partnership with them, we can also offer a greater selection of subjects to our students. The Primary School have also upskilled and are excited about the closer connections with families.
We have also found ourselves praying more fervently and worshipping together, recognising that our God is our strength, our hope and our ever present help. It is always good to be reminded that we need our God. It is easy to become complacent, to take Him for granted, to be so consumed by the busy-ness of life that we do not give Him first place in our lives. Paul says, ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Clearly, I did not realise when I first wrote about worship in this forum only five months ago that we would be tested on the importance of putting God first and trusting Him through tough circumstances. I am thankful our Father is in control; and I am thankful for our partnership with our community, for staff who have worked so incredibly hard, for our students who have persevered in their studies, for the Board and CST who have been generous towards families in hardship, for online facilities, and much more.
The fire drills, both in the Primary and Secondary Schools went very smoothly. Life isn’t always like that but we are truly blessed. May God bless you as you enjoy the school break with your children. Please pray for our school community; we all need to be refreshed for the second half of this year.
Ineke Laning – Acting Principal