For most of us, the beginning of the day can be hectic, and our school is no different. Parents are dropping off kids as they rush to work or begin the long list of tasks they have to accomplish that day. Kids are hurrying to their classrooms, unpacking backpacks, talking to friends, and looking over notes for the test in first period. Faculty are finalizing the lesson they will teach that day, catching up on e-mails, and organizing their schedule so they can accomplish as much as they are able on their to-do list.

God created us to be in relationship with him. When sin corrupted the world, we became separated from God, but he never stopped wanting to be in relationship with us. As fallen people, we desire to know our creator and we should strive to be more like him. What better way to get to know God than by studying his Word? However, the Bible can often raise questions and sometimes be difficult to understand. A devotional helps you break things down by providing selected scripture passages, easy to understand teaching, and even suggestions for prayer. Learning more and more about God each day will help you deepen your relationship with him.

These short daily devotions help us remember the important truths of what being followers of Jesus is all about. It's a designated opportunity for everyone in the building to stop and reset their minds. This dedication of time set aside for personal reflection becomes habit-forming for students and teachers. They become filled up by the Word every day and come to miss this calm beginning on days when school is not in session.

There are many more benefits. You could certainly add to this list. But the bottom line is this: Don’t give up on daily devotions. Don’t whip through them. Don’t let them get crowded out by other demands.

Brick upon brick a building is built. Lesson upon lesson a degree is earned. Stroke upon stroke a painting is created. Your devotions may have seemed ordinary today, but God is making something extraordinary through it. Press on. Don’t short-change the process.