27 May, 2011
Winning Opportunity
"A lucky North Texas high school student won the keys to a 2011 Chevy Camaro for making good grades and showing up to class.
The prize left Kenzie Deaton speechless.
"It's just coming out as crying and happiness," Deaton said. "I thought I was stuck with my mom's car."
"Secondary students are notorious, sometimes, for becoming lax in their grades and attendance. This is a motivation tool for them to work on their grades," said Byron Nelson High School Principal Linda Parker.
Byron Nelson High School, along with Northwest High School and Steele Accelerated High School participated in the incentive program. Friday's rain pushed drawing indoors, and school leaders went with their plan B.
They drew the names of 25 lucky students from inside the district's TV studio. Students earned tickets throughout the year based on their academic performance. Better attendance and higher grades meant more chances to win.
"We do a tally, and they receive their tickets, put their names on them, put them in the hopper, and cross their fingers and hope they win," Parker said.
The catch is, only one of the 25 winners ends up with the donated car. This year's recipient must wait a while before driving off.
Deaton is a high school freshman and is only 14."
Image courtesy of Google images
Story courtesy of nbc.com
Ephesians 5:15-17
"Be very careful, then, how you live—
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is."
What Does God's Story Teach us about opportunity?
I cannot say that this is the best incentive for going to school or getting good grades, however I can appreciate the desire to teach students to be responsible eek yeah I said responsible for their actions by rewarding an opportunity to win something of great value!!
Hebrews 10:35 "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."
We don't always win something or are honored for our good deeds. Yet God calls us to make the most of every opportunity, and we are rewarded, its just not always with cars or bling. It is easier to cheat, or lie, steal, & to take the easy way out, than to live a life that is worthy.
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
Are you willing to be at school, get good grades, or work on time, not just because you have to? Or are you going because you know its wise, and can benifit your life and your future. Not to mention show that you are responsible and respectful of something bigger than you. There is a song out right now about "Today, I'm not going to to anything" I fear its catchy lines makes us feel like being lazy is what we should do. God desires joy & life for us, but not at the cost of evil. Let chat evil right now, I think of witch craft and voodoo, but the reality is that evil is also about how we treat one another, what we are involved in outside of church and our families. If you keep reading in Ephesians you see he talks more about this how not to live life:
Ephesians 5:18-19, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord"
As we walk closer to summer we lend ourselves to more freedom and a plethora of opportunities.
- Spend some time asking God to help you look at your motives as to how you live.
- Ask yourself are you taking the most of every opportunity with your free time this summer?
- Ask God to show you what it mean to make music from heart to the Lord.
- Ask God to help you make the most of EVERY opportunity.
How can we connect today's God's story to our friends lives?
One of the biggest things that has helped me in this journey of choosing to live wisely, is that randomly someone will notice or say thank you for not living contrary to what you believe. I am taken back always, noting that we can feel like nobody notices how you live. Though living a life that is worthy is about living it for the Lord not for the praise of others. Because we don't receive praise or recognition from many, we need to draw our strength to continue from the Lord.
Today don't do anything with your words. Instead take time this week to live wisely in your actions among your friends and family. Make a change or continue living wisely. Not because I said so, but because that is "what the Lord's will is" take joy it, regardless if anyone notices. Show your faith this week in how you live.
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