“The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Psalm 111: 10
SK students recently were challenged to
talk about their fears and when they had shown courage. The answers were a
window into the world of a child. Courage to sing in a Christmas program,
bravery at the pool’s edge, and even courage to try a two wheeled bike were
mentioned. A story exists in my family of a sibling who was incredibly scared
of hot air balloons at a kindergarten age since it was believed, based on a
party balloon popping, that the one in the sky might mean the end of the world.
Psalm 111’s mention of fear always
perplexed me when I was a child, since fear was not something that I associated
with God. I certainly knew what is was to have fear, but didn’t see the
connection to a God who loved so unconditionally and completely.
Some of you may know that this text is
built right into our building in the form of a keystone installed as part of a wall.
It was my pleasure to show it to several new families this week here at
school for the first installment of Ready, Set,
Learn. One parent was actually an alumni of LCES and clearly remembered its
this keystone in its prominent spot, now outside the SK classroom.
A school formed around the fear of the Lord
is a school that teaches students to know that God exists and is simultaneously
all-powerful and all-loving. Fearing the Lord means that we collectively know
our absolute dependency on him for all things, and celebrate his amazing care
and faithfulness the gifts of each new day and all it brings. Fear of the Lord as
the pathway to true wisdom means that we can’t truly know anything, unless we
start with God.
How many students and parents have walked
past that keystone through its many years of prominent position? Thousands, I’m
sure. Lord willing I just met the next round of wonderful young image bearers
that will come to know its truth.
SJ
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