Our local school district has been in the throes of the difficult decision of closing a school. Although we are a small district in population, we are large in acreage and local pride. At present, there are three high schools and three elementary schools: two sets are located in the northern, more populated area of the district, and then there is Liberty High School and Elementary in the south.
The district’s future goal is to have only one high school; so, it was decided that Liberty High would close. The past few weeks have been so difficult. As a substitute teacher, I’ve been in all six schools and am proud to say that every school has a fine faculty of teachers; although, as I sit and have lunch with the Liberty teachers, the foreboding of the pending close has dampened everyone’s spirit. It’s as though a family is being torn apart, and in some ways, that’s exactly what is happening.
Then, out of nowhere came the news that the state has no money to pay for all the refurbishing plans and will not have it for three years! All of a sudden, everything changed; and even though the final decisions have not been made, there is now a glimmer of hope for this community that they may not lose their school.
Last night, as I sat listening to the band concert, which included any alumni or community folks who wanted to join, I couldn’t help but wonder at the mighty hand of God. It’s been a sort of “David and Goliath” story – the two northern schools naturally outnumber little Liberty. It seemed like an impossible situation; but then God assured us once again that He knows exactly what is going on, and can do the impossible!
There’s nothing that strengthens our faith more than when God does the impossible. All seems hopeless, and then God enters into the picture! Look at how many times this is true in the Bible: Joseph – God sends Pharaoh a dream; Moses – God parts the Red Sea; Joshua – and the walls came tumbling down!
Even in modern times, we hear of God doing the impossible. The Miracle Evacuation at Dunkirk during World War II was certainly miraculous because of the heart-courage demonstrated by hundreds of boatmen who sailed their vessels across the English channel to save over 300,000 soldiers; but it was the hand of God that rolled in the unusual fog that covered the beaches that night! And on 9/11, how many lives were spared because circumstances suddenly changed, putting persons in other places than in the World Trade Center?
Do you see the hand of God in your life? So often, I don’t believe that it is a lack of God’s working as much as it is a lack of our looking for it! Take a moment and listen to the psalmist’s advice: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 What could be more important? And remember, it was not in the earthquake or strong wind or fire that Elijah heard God, but in the still small voice! (1 Kings 19:12)
Beyond Common Sense 