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Bible Verse: Let us keep looking to Jesus. – Hebrews 12:2a (NIrV)

It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school season is here!  Whether you go to public school, private school, home school or whatever school, school is a big deal because we spend so much time doing it. How do you feel about school this fall? Are you excited? Nervous?  Worried? Scared? Happy? Sad? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between all of those!  

Whatever you’re feeling about school this year, God wants you to remember that you’re not in it alone. He is with you and wants you to keep your eyes on Him no matter what happens.  

It’s kind of like the time Jesus’ friends ended up on a lake on a windy night. The Bible says the boat was, “being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it” (Matthew 14:24 NIrV).  That had to be pretty scary.  But then, things got even scarier. Just before dawn, the disciples looked up and saw someone walking near them on top of the water!

“‘It’s a ghost!’ they said. And they cried out in fear” (verse 26).

But it wasn’t a ghost. It was Jesus!  When Jesus’ friend Peter saw him, he said, “Lord is it you? If it is, tell me to come to you on the water” (verse 28). Then Jesus gave Peter the ability to walk on the water too. How cool is that?  

However, once Peter got out of the boat, he saw the wind and waves and panicked. He took his eyes off of Jesus, and that’s when he began to sink. Jesus rushed in and saved him and when they got in the boat, the wind stopped! Everyone in the boat was amazed. They worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!” (verse 33).

As you go into your school year, you’ll probably face some wind and waves. Maybe it will be some tough schoolwork, a hard friend situation or something going on in your family life. We can’t control those things.  

But the good news is there is something we can control. We can choose to look at the waves or we can choose to keep our eyes on Jesus. We can choose worry or we can choose worship. When we choose to worship, it won’t make all of our worries go away but it will remind us that God is big enough to help us through any challenge we face.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He can do amazing things in our lives even in the middle of a storm. He did it for His friend Peter and He can do it for you!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being with me no matter what. Help me to have a great school year following You. When I’m tempted to worry, help me to worship You instead. I love You. Amen.

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