Leadership is an important component to achieving unity and setting a good tone for the entire school. This year the Junior and Senior classes went off campus for a weekend of spiritual growth. Here’s one student’s take of what took place:
The Sacramento valley panoramically stands before me in all it’s divine summer splendor. The sun has slowly risen above the valley, awakening thousands to the hustle of a new day. But this morning, I stand formally in line alongside thirty other students from Weimar Academy. We’ve been called outside to face the valley by our beloved principal. He raises a rough leather bible, and pensively reads:
“And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people, which are in Sacramento, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Californians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey…unto the place of the Weimar-ites, and the Colfax-ites, and the Auburn-ians…”
It’s our school’s leadership retreat, and we’re kicking off a brand new school year. Our principal is a terrific leader. He makes us laugh, sometimes cry, but this morning he has produced a profound, ritualistic sense of awe. We had just completed an hour of communion with Jesus, each in our own secluded spot on the mountainside; seeking God in ways many of us have never experienced. An emotional season of testimony followed. A classmate of mine shared that God had given him the victory over
something he’d struggled with for years. Another fellow student said she had heard God speak to her more palpably than ever before. Oh, the joy of that scene. Every one of our hearts seemed to mirror the beaming smiles we each shared. Christianity feels tremendously authentic when you see it’s power so indubitably demonstrated. We are disciple of the living God, with a life changing story to tell.
And now, as I gaze upon the valley’s enormous unreached populous, I hear the words, “Come now therefore…that thou mayest bring forth my people”.
Isn’t that why I’m here? Of course, we’re in, all thirty of us; exhilarated for this years journey to begin. It’s only the second week, but if this start is any indication of our conclusion, we’re in for some extraordinary blessings.
-Richard Steffens