Dear Parents,
Are you someone who loves tests, challenges, or difficulties? I think the majority, if not all of us would admit that we are not a fan of things that push us outside of our comfort zone or that can sometimes be painful. Furthermore, we tend to do everything we can to avoid them and sometimes even rationalize that God wants what is best for us and therefore would not want to make us uncomfortable.
In James 1:2-4 (Message version), it says, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
There are many examples that we can apply from both the real world and in a spiritual sense. Take for example last year’s Stanley Cup winners, the St. Louis Blues. They fired their coach on Nov. 19th and were in last place as of Jan. 3rd. They then went on an unprecedented run to make it into the playoffs and eventually won the championship in 7 games. For all of you Leafs fans, I’m sure you are hoping something similar happens this year.
From a spiritual perspective, I have personally found that my most significant periods of growth and positive changes have come out of the most challenging times or periods of adversity. In those deepest struggles, I realized that I could not make it on my own strength and had to come to a place where I yielded my will and all of myself to God. Only then was I able to move forward and experience victory.
For our students at Trinity, there will be periods where they will be challenged by the curriculum, or by their peers, or will wrestle with something God has placed on their hearts. Just as the verse advises, we want to make sure that it runs its course so that our students persevere and become mature and well-developed for all that God has for them now and in the future.
Sincerely,
J-D Lussier, Principal
