June Editorial

I don’t know about you, but for me this time of year does feel like coming to the end of a marathon but still having a few miles left to run! It’s been a great year, loads going on in schools and with the year 11s leaving, it can start to feel like the end of the year is already upon us.  But actually, there’s still half a term of time in school, conversations, lessons, assemblies, groups and so much more that God still wants to do.

This week I’m taking Breathe into my school, and having group after group of year 9s come to explore the big questions of faith and their responses to those. I am excited to see the way they use the experience and am open to the questions they may have. I’d love to get to know more of this year group as they prepare to head into their GCSE year, a time when pressure just starts building more and more. And so one of my aims for this term is to really invest in this year group and to use the Breathe experience as part of that.

What is your aim for this half term? What would you like to achieve in the next 8 weeks?
That is your finish line, that is where you are headed.

I want to encourage you, as the teacher did in that assembly, come back after half term with the finish line in sight, and run to the end. It may feel like your legs are giving way, but isn’t that when we can hold on to the fact that we don’t rely on our own strength? I want to share some wise words from Paul from Philippians in the Message version, about the bigger picture finish line:

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it...Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.”

And with Paul’s last words, can I encourage you as I encourage myself, let’s keep an eye out for one another, spur each other on towards our finish lines. This month we have the new members map on the site, and this I hope is going to be a way we can make sure that we are aware of others doing similar work in our area, and have the opportunity to get in touch and connect for support and encouragement.

Bless you, have a great month!

Amy Stock

schoolswork.co.uk project director