The month of September was always my least favorite month of the year as a child. For one thing, at the beginning of the month, we would close down our pool. It was also the month when school started, and as a child, I hated school. I imagine a few kids and teachers are already missing summer.

I often think about why I hated school. For one thing, I never got paid, so I always just saw it as a hassle. Instead, I should have seen it as a vocation.

In Lutheranism, vocations are roles that God has placed us into for the purpose of serving our neighbors. Obviously, we can see a parent or teacher as having a vocation, as they regularly help children. However, Martin Luther also teaches that being a child or a student is a vocation. In the Small Catechism's Table of Duties, there are responsibilities listed for both the youth and students:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and your mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" — Ephesians 6:1–3

"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." — 1 Peter 5:5–6

As a new school year begins, let us encourage our students and teachers to see their classrooms not as a hassle, but as the very place God has called them to love and serve their neighbors today.