Humility holds a very important place in the overall purpose of this school. It’s expressed as the seventh and final statement in our Profile of a Graduate: “Walks humbly with their God and before man” (derived from Micah 6:8). But, it is not just for the graduate, and not just for the elementary or preschool student, but for all of us.
Morally, this humility provides the right motivation and supplies our ability to battle against sin and temptation. It’s an open acknowledgement of our need for a Savior, not only to make us right with a righteous God, but also to daily guide us (and correct us) toward holiness. My earnest hope this summer is that all our students, in their own special ways, will humbly die to themselves and pursue what is good, true, and beautiful.
And intellectually, humility is the necessary precursor to more learning. At the end of a school year, we don’t want to puff up with what we now know, but rather live with wonder in what we don’t know. My hope is that our students have gained some measure of intellectual humility that would cause them to continue reading and learning—yes, even during the summer! And, I hope that our graduates would plot and pursue greater academic challenges.
The Bible does not speak much about taking stock of our accomplishments but rather exhorts us to continually learn: "Lead me in your truth and teach me" (Psalm 25:5) / "I keep asking that God ... may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (Ephesians 1:17) / “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Graduation is a time to celebrate. But, it is not a time to say I’ve arrived. None of us have yet done so.
In Christ,
Stephen Sprague
Headmaster
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)