Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

The ‘long haul’ will be different for each of us. It may be just the journey to the end of the week, or the year, or the journey to finishing high school, or getting to retirement. Whatever the length of time, if it feels like a ‘long haul’, then that is real and valid for you and God wants to partner, provide and protect you through it. This does however require action like being joyful, patient and prayerful.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Term 3 is almost halfway through with no signs of slowing down, yet there is so much to give thanks for. So far this term we have been exploring the concepts of the strengths and gifts we each have and the beauty in the diversity of all that God has created in each person that makes up our community. If you ask any primary student, they should be able to proudly state that ‘they are all different and that is awesome!’ We looked at this in relation to both learning and also growing individually and together as a Primary School through our relationships.

God asks us to love and honour Him and to do this for everyone we meet and also to forgive anyone who hurts us, even when they don’t say sorry. To follow Jesus is not easy, but it is rewarding. He has the crazy notion that we should serve others rather than ourselves. He expects us to show integrity when no one is looking. Above all He expects us to love.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

Love all, not just others who only occasionally have a bad day, but also our enemies. Jesus expects us to love our enemies. We shouldn’t follow him unless we are ready to experience some discomfort. This calls for us to be strong in Jesus’ love, so we can create great change, protect and nurture the hearts of everyone around us.

At Mueller we want to make change and see people become all they can be. Above all, our prayer is that each member of our community comes to understand and believe that their Heavenly Father loves them so much that He gave His only son, to die for them so they might live eternally with Him and have access to Him right now, to live a life free of shame and guilt and to thrive and grow in community!

We are all in this for the ‘long haul’ but it will be worth it and it is totally doable with God in our corner.

Chris Mills

Week 4 News