This proverb is straight forward at a surface level, but it has profound implications for our everyday lives. This diamond from scripture implies that all of us are born for a purpose; that purpose is to be lived out in accordance with God’s guidance and counsel. When we do this well, we find peace and joy. This is God’s promise to each one of us. Conversely, when we do not have a God directed vision we can live carelessly, ‘without restraint’ and the outcomes here are less than satisfying.
Every person wants to live full and satisfying lives, however, in our independent ‘me’ focused world these words from Proverbs 29:18 are not so popular. Having our lives restrained and inhibited by rules or religion is not something that is encouraged in our culture. We are constantly told that ‘you can do anything you want’, we are encouraged to be an ‘individual’ and to go out and experience the world and all that it has to offer. Now I don’t want to misrepresent the context where these words are valid, but in general terms when we live without God’s guidance and vision life can get very messy. In more simple terms, when I see people without a vision or goal the outcomes are less than satisfactory. If we do not have a clear purpose or set of goals then we achieve less than our full potential; in short, we live unsatisfied lives.
As we embark on Term 4, we start a new Year 12 Group on their way. Year 12, 2020 have begun their HSC journey and this was acknowledged in a beautiful Dedication Service with students, parents and staff in attendance. This was a very intentional moment. We were dedicating our 2020 group to God and asking Him to come and support us on the journey. Great wisdom was imparted by a variety of people, but the essence of the night was to declare our intention for the students, staff and parents to embark on this HSC journey together under God’s guidance. If this plan or purpose is taken up by each individual and family, under God, it would make an amazing difference in the final outcomes for those involved
Any student that sets out with simple goals and works to achieve these goals, with the appropriate strategies, will achieve more than simply being swept along without any real plan. When we add God into the equation then there is a powerful combination that is released into the situation.
My encouragement to the whole community, as we come to the final examinations, is to have a plan in place and work consistently towards achieving each major objective. If we do this together, we will realise the benefits of being intentional in all we do.
Let’s enjoy this last term of 2019!