Well, here we stand at the close of another year. Where did the time go? I joke with the students in gym class that I must not forget to stop the time clock as they finish running their laps around the school. In a jesting manner I suggest that if I will remember to shut the clock off I have saved minutes from passing by. Of course we all know that even when the stopwatch is off the clock of life continues to tick! We can do nothing to stop each moment from passing, but as we have reminded ourselves each week in Morning Assembly we can be responsible to plan our days in a manner that we may accomplish much to accomplish much, within the time God has granted us. 

            Throughout the year I am often reminding the students to redeem the time. May we all remain mindful in using the coming days to glorify God, being faithful to present responsibilities, being diligent to strive for excellence in all we do as unto the Lord and being sober-minded with regard to the coming eternity. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:15-16: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” God’s people are called to redeem the time and to take much care in our use of the time the Lord has given to each one of us. Time is indeed precious…and fleeting. In this passage we see that the time we have been given is directly related to how we live, how we address the issues of life. With regard to the use of our time, God calls the Christian repeatedly to understand, obey and take pleasure in His will and ways. 

            We pray we have been faithful and wise with the time the Lord has given us at AICA. Throughout the year, each of our faculty members has published classroom goals for each quarter. Each year our teachers are required to establish and achieve certain classroom goals in order that curriculum objectives are accomplished. Thus our students are provided with a responsible, cohesive and deliberate curriculum. How important it is to set goals in September and see these goals honored by the close of the school year! The responsible goal setting we speak of is ultimately an expression of our duty to God and our love for Him. As well, we give honor to God in conducting our affairs in a decent and orderly manner as the Scriptures require, and gives us confidence and joy as we raise our children in this way. During the formative years at AICA, not only were goals and plans established as AICA was now conceived as an incorporation, but before one hour of school could take place, we were under obligation to follow an orderly plan of operation to achieve those goals that we would be successful as a school. Each year we would then reevaluate our last year’s performance to make plans to achieve a more successful school, always looking to improve upon what we do. 

            Outspoken Christian leader Zig Ziglar has said, “A goal set is a goal half way reached”. We hear other quick quips such as: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”, and another “if you aim at nothing you will be sure to hit it”.  All throughout the Scriptures we see our best example of goal setting and making plans in the work of our Creator. Paul writes in the book of Ephesians that God’s plan for His children began from before the “foundation of the world”.  We see from the first pages of Genesis and from the first day in the Garden of Eden even until this very moment that the plan of God is being brought about through God’s own providence. That which the Triune God conceived before anything was made has been and is coming to fruition according to His all wise and perfect will. We are told in God’s revelation that He has a purpose and a plan and none can stay His mighty hand. We are to be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1) not only in love but also in all things.

Even now as I pen these words, we as a faculty and Board of Directors are preparing for the future years of our ministry. Lord willing our plans will cause us to excel in the duties He has assigned to us, and may our plans be an opportunity to bring God the Glory alone. If we do not plan to succeed we will be planning to fail. As this summer progresses please pray for the members of the Board of Directors, faculty and administration that they might look to the future with the certainty of God’s continued presence and the hope that our established plans might bring about that which is pleasing to God and for the good of His people.

            As you look to the tomorrows of this upcoming summer and begin to plan how you will spend your days with loved ones and friends, may the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, be with you all and keep you safe.