I have been battling a family of “voles” (lawn mice) under my front porch who occasionally frustrate me with small holes in my front lawn. I thought I had fully eradicated them this past summer, or at least encouraged them to harass a neighbor instead. But a few weeks ago some new holes opened up in my front lawn and it was time to re-engage in the battle. I pulled out my vole traps, seasoned them with peanut butter, and provided a tasty trail of oats from their hole to my perfectly placed trap. A week went by with no action in my traps. And then a surprise snowstorm blanketing our community, my front lawn, and my traps. After my son made a snow fort in my yard, my traps were kicked into random places under piles of snow, though oddly still fully set. I let them be, mostly out of laziness (it is cold outside!). Then recently I came home and discovered one of my traps had caught a vole! Even after sitting there in the cold for weeks, and being kicked around, the temptation of the bait was too much to resist.
The apostle Peter reminds us that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). His desire is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is an expert in setting traps (see Genesis 3). And he can be relentless. And our children are his desired targets. Developing disciples committed to Jesus is the biggest threat to his evil plans. I was amazed that even though my bait was old and frozen, and my traps were well out of place, they eventually still captured their prey. We should be reminded that the traps of the enemy are still present and effective in luring our children. As parents, may we remain vigilant to protect our children with consistent training. May our homes be a place of love and safety and constant truth. May the bait of the enemy be so bland and cold and distant that it has no chance with our children. As we find small "holes" in the landscape of our lives, let us re-engage in the battle. This past week I had an encouraging encounter with one of our CCS grandparents. As is so common in our current context, the grandparent was helping with the transportation of some of our JH/HS students due to their unique schedules. On their drive home, this conscious-stricken grandparent suddenly became alerted that perhaps there was another student who was supposed to be in their carpool whom they may have left behind. So they turned around and returned to campus to enlist our staff to make sure the student was where they were supposed to be.
We confirmed quite quickly that the student had indeed been transported home through other means despite some unintended miscommunication. I remarked to the gracious grandparent, “Patience and flexibility. They seem like our new reality.” The grandparent paused, stared into space for a few seconds, then clarified, “Actually, all we need is flexibility, because patience is always built into flexibility.” I have been reflecting on these wise words the past few days and currently have a new favorite word: FLEXIBILITY! I love its definition of “being able to bend easily without breaking.” With so many circumstances out of our control that often seem to drive us to our breaking point, our interactions with each other should not contribute to this breaking point, but rather relieve it. The familiar statement from Paul “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” declared a lifestyle of flexibility. Whatever the situation: hunger, abundance, carline, masks, no water, new restrictions, and ongoing ups and downs, we are intended to bend and not break through the help of Jesus living through us. Jesus confirmed that the two greatest commands are to simply love God and love others. This small moment with this grandparent was a reminder of the many faithful parents, grandparents, teachers, and students who daily demonstrate flexibility in their interactions with others. I am encouraged to daily respond in love and obedience to God and in love and grace with others. Flexibility is often most available, effective, and consistent when connected to a fixed point. We rejoice in the absolute truth of the rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His presence in us to be flexible in the world. I regularly enjoy weekend trips to the Oregon Coast to slip away from the weekly routine and be refreshed in an often stunning landscape. Especially during the winter, the Oregon beaches are in constant change. With the seasonal “king tides” and constant storms, familiar beaches are often transformed into new and unique landscapes. I often question what were the forces that created those changes and the new beauty I observe.
Jesus’ disciples were constantly doing the same thing during His 3-year ministry. As they attempted to understand the Messiah and figure out the Kingdom of God, they questioned the causes behind their circumstances. One day as they were walking with Jesus and saw a man blind from birth, they asked “Who sinned that this man was born blind? Him or his parents?” (John 9) Like many of us often do, they were asking the wrong question. The lens in which they viewed the situation was not through the knowledge of an eternal Creator but through their own limited constructs. They brought human assumptions which prevented them from understanding the will of God. In their attempt to understand the calamity that this man experienced, they only considered two possible causes. Fortunately, Jesus was able to set them straight. He said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him?” The disciples were asking if the answer to their question was “a” or “b”, while Jesus provided the truth of the matter with option “c”. The true reason was that God’s glory might be revealed. In this season, there are calamities afflicting each of us. As disciples of Jesus we also ask “Why”, but often with assumptions that limit a correct Christian worldview. Blindness is certainly a significant hardship. Yet how might the disciples, much less the blind man, have experienced the situation if they understood how God actively works through challenging circumstances for His glory. How encouraging to know that the current hardships we face are filled with opportunity for God’s glory to be manifested through Jesus living through us! We know that God is not the author of the sin that exists in this world. Everything that is broken is a result of the adversary, the devil, the deceiver of the whole world. But through the gospel God allows us to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Just as Jesus’ disciples continued to grow in their understanding of the Kingdom of God, may we do the same. The next time you find yourself walking on an Oregon coast beach be reminded of the power of God to use all things for His glory! by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
A commonly referenced rule is that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert or master of a skill. That would probably explain my woeful ping pong play, my inconsistent homemade pizza dough crust, and certain household chores I just can’t seem to do right (well, that is another story). It also explains the importance of ongoing training for lead disciplers and teachers as their responsibilities seem increasingly complex and diverse. As a Crosshill community, we have now passed 100,000 hours of on-campus activity for the 20-21 school year. I suppose we could now claim that we collectively have mastered how to flourish as a discipleship school during this global pandemic. Based on the reports from students, parents, and teachers, as well as the smiles on so many faces, I would admit some truth to this claim. But as we have all experienced, flourishing during a global pandemic is less about mastering a skill and more about making constant minor adjustments. When the nation of Israel experienced their 70-year captivity in Babylon, God instructed the exiles to build houses, plant gardens, and even marry and increase in number. Despite the suffering of their circumstances, God had a clear plan for peace and prosperity according to His metrics. The adjustments made by the Jews did not compromise their commitment to God, but rather confirmed their faithfulness by meeting His expectations. As our campus enters into the next 100,000 hours of discipleship activities during this global pandemic, and our families collectively log even more hours, may we keep in mind what God expects of us. Through prayerful reflection, may we consider what instructions He has for us during this season, just as He did for the exiled Israelites. While I’m sure God expects me to soon master Sourdough Breadmaking, I know He has instructions for my mind and soul and feet as well. by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
I have many memories of my dad taking me along with him for trips to the local garbage dump or making me assist him in changing the oil in all of our household vehicles. My mother and I would read books together for hours at a time, and I spent a year in her 2nd-grade class as her special student. A large portion of my parents’ influence on my development occurred during circumstances that placed us in a sustained and captive presence with one another. God himself is the author of this discipleship process inherent to parenting. Regarding His truths, God directed the nation of Israel to “talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 6:7). One of the hidden benefits of the last 6 months is time. With less opportunity for activity outside the home, most family units have been unable to escape each other’s presence. Many of us are spending more time at home together “sitting” and “lying down.” While I rarely see families “walking along the road”, we are once again spending plenty of time together in our cars getting to and from school. These times should be full of learning new things and enjoying God’s creation. I myself still occasionally take a trip to the dump and always change my own oil (with my son), and enjoy a good Louis L’Amour book now and then. But of even greater value were my observations of my parents during those consistent moments together. I learned about kindness, respect, and integrity, both through watching my parents interact with others and through deliberate small teaching moments. I had a front-row seat to mistakes and their fallen nature, but also acts of humility, honesty, and forgiveness. Their influence not only impacted my siblings and I, but also our friends who tagged along. As you drive your children (and their friends) to and from school, consider how to be deliberate in applying the truths of God through your actions and words. Consider how to maximize any margin in your schedules by keeping your children by your side and being present in their activities in the home. Thank you for trusting us to do the same while your children are on our campus. |
Adam Kronberger
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