It’s that time of year again. The kids are back in school. And that means a whole new round of frenzy over why God is not in our schools any more.
This past week I’ve seen numerous people post a photo of children to Facebook with the caption, “Let’s let God back in our schools!” (together with the obligatory “Share if you agree!”). Such sentiments are put forth by well meaning people. Perhaps they are lamenting the fact that a Christian teacher may no longer ask her students to bow their heads as she offers a prayer. Maybe there are other related reasons as well.
I refuse to jump on this bandwagon. For starters, do you really believe that a school district has the power to kick God out of school? If so, you worship a weak God. Try running away from Him sometime. Jonah tried. Epic fail! God is present everywhere. The psalmist rhetorically asks, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The answer: Nowhere. God is present everywhere.
But even better than the omnipresence of God is the God who came to dwell among us, full of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is God for you. Jesus comes to you in Word and Sacrament that He might dwell in you and you in Him.
In Holy Baptism, the Father named you His beloved child, clothed you in Christ’s perfect righteousness, and gave you His Holy Spirit. Each and every Lord’s Day He feeds and nourishes your baptismal faith in Him through Word and Sacrament. All so that you may go forth into your various vocations in His forgiveness, with His blessing, and as His people. Where you go, Christ goes. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Thus, it is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you. And the life you now live in the flesh you live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you (Galatians 2:20).
You are mistaken if you think the Triune God is tardy or absent from your school. For where you are, so is the Triune God whose name you bear. In you, God is present with skin on. Martin Luther wrote, “It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” School in one such setting in which your vocation includes being Christ to your neighbor. What a joy!
So your school does not allow your teacher to pray publicly with her students. It cannot stop her from praying privately for her students and fellow teachers. Nor can it stop you from praying for your teachers, your fellow students, and anyone else who needs your prayers.
So your school exclusively teaches the theory of evolution and will not allow any talk of a seven-day creation. It cannot force you to abandon the truth of God’s Word anymore than it can stop you from speaking about it with your friends.
So your school bans or limits “Christian” organizations. It cannot stop you from attending the Divine Service, Bible study, and Sunday School at church, from devotion and prayer at school or home, and from inviting others to join you in growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Sometimes I wonder why Christians think they can have their Jesus, their Scriptures, their faith without the hatred and persecution that come with it. Since no one can rob you of your faith, your worship, your devotions, or your prayers, why do a secular school’s rules so upset you? Perhaps what upsets you is not their rules, but the fact that you are called to deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Christ, and endure the persecution that comes your way on account of Him. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
Jesus said it would be this way. So get out there, go to school, remember who you are as a baptized child of God, and “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9), “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Will you be mocked or ridiculed? Possibly. Laughed at or reviled? Perhaps. In Christ, you already have God’s approval. So why do you seek man’s approval?
God grant you the faith, the strength, and the courage to be the hands and voice of Christ to those whom He places in your path. Especially at school!
