During the holidays I read a book that has had quite an impact on me and I would like to share some thoughts from it with you. The book, by Bill Hybels, is called ‘Simplify – 10 practices to unclutter your soul’. One chapter...

 ...deals with time and our use of it.

As a husband, father, principal and with involvement in my church, time is of the essence for me. ‘So much to do, so little time.’ I know that for many, if not most of our parents and pupils this is also true. What is true from my experience is that unless I prioritise what is most important to me, then the tyranny of the urgent will push those greater priorities to the back.

Bill Hybels asks the question ‘What would my schedule look like if God were in charge of it?’ How would God have me spend my (His!) time today? In my weekly meeting with the Head Prefects we discussed the concept of time, priorities and God. From a book we are studying together (Spiritual Leadership) we read 

‘Each moment of the day is a gift from God that deserves care, for by any measure, our time is short and the work is great.’ 

 No wonder the Apostle Paul says ‘Look carefully how you walk ….. making the most of the time’ (Eph 5: 15-16 RSV).

So what should guide us in making priorities for our time? Crucially it should be framed by the greatest commandments - to love God and love others. Identifying and putting these priorities into our calendar is also important. I love Bill Hybels' statement 

‘My schedule is far less about what I want to get done and far more about who I want to become’. 

 What a beautiful perspective! Clarify what is the ultimate goal of your life, the type of person you want to be commended for, both by God and man (Luke 2: 52).

Our desire to walk with God, to be led by the Holy Spirit, to imitate Christ, needs to be reflected in our meditation of God’s Word and in prayer. Does our schedule reflect that? Do we have definite quiet times set aside to draw on and drink deeply of his Word - a gospel that comes with the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1)? In education we expect our pupils to read textbooks, to research topics in order to learn and grow in their knowledge of a subject. How sad it is to hear that for many, regular Bible reading and prayer just does not feature in their lives!

May I be bold and encourage, even implore parents to do the following? Set an example to your children by your own quiet times with the Lord. It is not with a pharisaical ‘heart of show’, but with humility that we show our children we prize our time with God in order to grow in our love and admiration of him. Do meal times occur in front of the TV or do they occur around a time of conversation, fellowship and family prayer? We must not let busy lives take our focus away from the greatest priority – our walk with God and family.

The strength of this country and school will come from Christian families strong in their faith and walk with God.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant us all the understanding that ‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing’ – life with Christ.

In Christ

Richard Vanderpyl
Principal