When Everything is Taken Away

By: Justin Beville

A few days ago, our local school board approved a virtual only start to the school year with no clear date on return to classroom learning. While I do not want to argue which decision is the right one, the implications of this decision (either way) are of great magnitude.

As a Youth Pastor, I have a front row seat to see the many implications of this decision. I feel for the teacher who thrives with in person instruction. I feel for the athlete who just lost his chance at any scholarships. I feel for the musician who loses out on concerts and marching band performances, maybe even their last one. I feel for the scholar who will not thrive virtually. This is just a small list of implications from the decision.

These students, parents, and teachers are dealing with potential life issues, just in new and fresh ways. The question that must be answered is: How do I respond when everything is taken away? Much has been taken away from these individuals, but the response to it being taken away will effect the rest your life.

Situations like these tend to bring out the best or worst in people. One of the best illustrations I have ever heard was about an orange. Imagine each of these students, parents, and teachers as an orange. That orange at its core will and only can produce orange juice. When that orange is squeezed, orange juice is the result. Student, parent, teacher, or school board member, what will result when you are squeezed because of this decision? My gut tells me that the response to this will vary. I tell my students all the time: you are capable of great things and I have faith that you will do great things!

How will you respond to this time of being squeezed? How will you respond when everything is taken away? What will your life look like five years from now because of this?

Proverbs 16:1–33 (ESV):

1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.