Pursuing a Divine Design (9/3)
Because Jesus is our Savior, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit lives within us. We are His respresentatives, His ambassadors, and we are empowered to share the love and truth of Jesus, taking His presence wherever we go. The Bible says in Colossians 4 (ESV):
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Sabrina Steffans is a Senior at Grand Island High School in Grand Island, New York. The school has had a tradition for seniors that, according to Decision Magazine, is "...a fun tradition that allows seniors, for a $50 fee, to reserve and decorate their parking space. The purpose, it states, is 'to encourage students to express themselves through positive artwork, to beautify the campus, to build school spirit, and to create a new and exciting tradition to support Senior Class activities and events.'" Sabrina's design included references to God, and was rejected. The article states:
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Sabrina Steffans is a Senior at Grand Island High School in Grand Island, New York. The school has had a tradition for seniors that, according to Decision Magazine, is "...a fun tradition that allows seniors, for a $50 fee, to reserve and decorate their parking space. The purpose, it states, is 'to encourage students to express themselves through positive artwork, to beautify the campus, to build school spirit, and to create a new and exciting tradition to support Senior Class activities and events.'" Sabrina's design included references to God, and was rejected. The article states:
Sabrina submitted a design to the school in May that included a cross, the phrases “God is love” and “He loves you,” and a quotation from John 14:6, according to a letter sent to the school district Aug. 12 by the First Liberty Institute law firm on Sabrina’s behalf.
According to the letter, two assistant principals told Sabrina that her design was inappropriate and that none of it would be approved. They said the cross could only be included if it were “disguised as a ‘t.’” When Sabrina asked why the school had previously allowed her to include Scripture references on posters for the Bible Club that she leads, one assistant principal replied, “I just let that one slide.”
According to the letter, two assistant principals told Sabrina that her design was inappropriate and that none of it would be approved. They said the cross could only be included if it were “disguised as a ‘t.’” When Sabrina asked why the school had previously allowed her to include Scripture references on posters for the Bible Club that she leads, one assistant principal replied, “I just let that one slide.”
Sabrina submitted two more designs, and finally the third one was approved, but by that time, she had to remove a Scripture reference and refer to God as "He." But, as Decision Magazine states: "...because of the censoring of Biblical references, First Liberty sent its letter explaining that the school’s actions have violated Sabrina’s First Amendment rights and that numerous Supreme Court decisions support her right to express her religious beliefs in a public school."
Last Wednesday, First Liberty announced on its website that the school had reversed course. The law firm stated, "...attorneys for the Grand Island Central School District responded to the demand letter stating that Sabrina could proceed with her original design."
Keisha Russell, Senior Counsel for First Liberty and recent guest on The Meeting House, stated: “We are pleased that the school district changed course and will allow Sabrina to truly express her deeply held beliefs in her design,” adding, “The First Amendment protects students’ private expressions of faith in public schools.”
Sometimes, people in authority just don't know - they see religious expression and have a knee-jerk reaction. Hopefully, they're embarrassed because they don't know the Constitution. But, there is this attitude in society that you can talk about all sorts of subjects in school, but religion is off-limits. That is odd for a country in which religious freedom has been a foundational principle.
For years, students have gathered at flagpoles for the annual event, "See You at the Pole." It's designed to be student-led and takes place prior to the beginning of school. This year, it's scheduled for September 24. A few years ago, Focus on the Family started "Bring Your Bible to School Day," described on its website like this: "Bring Your Bible to School Day is an annual celebration that empowers Christians to live out their faith. This year, we’re inspired by James 1:22—'Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.' It’s a reminder that faith isn’t just something we listen to—it’s something we live out. All it takes are two simple steps—bringing your Bible and sharing what God’s Word means to you. Let’s be doers together!" It will occur on October 2. Last year, over 1.2 million people participated at over 70,000 schools!
I mentioned in an interview at the Christian Product Expo that even though its said that God has been removed from schools, that's just not true where you have Christian students who take the presence of God into those settings. Actually, the Bible can be brought into schools, as Focus is encouraging on its special day. We must be conscious that because Jesus dwells in our hearts, He goes where we go. And, we should take special care to make sure that we are going where He goes - walking in obedience to His Spirit.
Opportunities will present themselves for us to share our love for Jesus; we just have to be sensitive to discern where a door has been opened. And, remember, the way we live and interact can draw people to the presence of God within us.
Last Wednesday, First Liberty announced on its website that the school had reversed course. The law firm stated, "...attorneys for the Grand Island Central School District responded to the demand letter stating that Sabrina could proceed with her original design."
Keisha Russell, Senior Counsel for First Liberty and recent guest on The Meeting House, stated: “We are pleased that the school district changed course and will allow Sabrina to truly express her deeply held beliefs in her design,” adding, “The First Amendment protects students’ private expressions of faith in public schools.”
Sometimes, people in authority just don't know - they see religious expression and have a knee-jerk reaction. Hopefully, they're embarrassed because they don't know the Constitution. But, there is this attitude in society that you can talk about all sorts of subjects in school, but religion is off-limits. That is odd for a country in which religious freedom has been a foundational principle.
For years, students have gathered at flagpoles for the annual event, "See You at the Pole." It's designed to be student-led and takes place prior to the beginning of school. This year, it's scheduled for September 24. A few years ago, Focus on the Family started "Bring Your Bible to School Day," described on its website like this: "Bring Your Bible to School Day is an annual celebration that empowers Christians to live out their faith. This year, we’re inspired by James 1:22—'Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.' It’s a reminder that faith isn’t just something we listen to—it’s something we live out. All it takes are two simple steps—bringing your Bible and sharing what God’s Word means to you. Let’s be doers together!" It will occur on October 2. Last year, over 1.2 million people participated at over 70,000 schools!
I mentioned in an interview at the Christian Product Expo that even though its said that God has been removed from schools, that's just not true where you have Christian students who take the presence of God into those settings. Actually, the Bible can be brought into schools, as Focus is encouraging on its special day. We must be conscious that because Jesus dwells in our hearts, He goes where we go. And, we should take special care to make sure that we are going where He goes - walking in obedience to His Spirit.
Opportunities will present themselves for us to share our love for Jesus; we just have to be sensitive to discern where a door has been opened. And, remember, the way we live and interact can draw people to the presence of God within us.
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