A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting beautiful St. Petersburg, Russia. I walked down Nevskiy Prospekt and stood awestruck in the galleries of the Hermitage. I gasped at the magnificence of the Church of the Spilled Blood, and marvelled at the history one could see on almost every corner. What an amazing place! I can say this not just because of the beauty of the city, but because of a little Christian school that is a light on a hill, bringing hope and joy to their students and their families.
During the week of the accreditation visit, the four members of the ACSI team were able to speak with members of the faculty, staff, students, school board, and parents. It became evident that they love their school. It is a family, a community where they value each other as individuals while celebrating their differences. They have seen God work through challenges that appeared to be unsurmountable, and today have a stronger faith that God has a purpose for their school and that He will be the one to accomplish great things.
Does this sound like the story of ICSV? Over the years God has steered us around many hurdles as we have relied on Him to protect and defend the school. We are a community that rejoices with each other even in the small things, and we weep with each other when our hearts are broken. As I look back at my time in Russia, the words of the Board Chair keep ringing in my mind. He said, “IT IS OUR STORY FOR HIS GLORY.” God is working in Christian schools all over the globe by writing a story that demonstrates His faithfulness and His care for the nations of the world. At ICSV, we can also say that “IT IS OUR STORY FOR HIS GLORY.”
I encourage you to ponder these words. What have you seen and experienced at ICSV and in your own life that is a demonstration of OUR STORY that God has been using for HIS GLORY? How might God be using the difficult weeks that we have experienced together as community that will ultimately be used for HIS GLORY? During this time of introspection and thinking about the big issues in life, I pray that you will find comfort in the words of Fanny Crosby’s hymn “Blessed Assurance.”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long.
THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG
PRAISING OUR SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG.
Because of His Faithfulness,
Sharon Brobst, Director