For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16, NIV
Many of you, if not all of you, are compelled to teach. The Greek translation of “teach” means a distressed necessity that is pressed down upon one. You know the feeling. It is not something you might do, or you’ll get around to doing; it is something you must do—something that you cannot help but do. I have always said, and will say it again, “Becoming an educator is a calling, not a career.”
I heard a very scary statistic recently. It came from the Southern Baptist Convention through their publishing company Lifeway. The statistic read, “In the 1950s, seventy-five percent of children had knowledge of the gospels. Today that number is less than five percent.” Furthermore, of the 51 million children under the age of 18 who live in the United States, more than 40 million of them do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. I researched the information myself, and it is true. It is also mind-boggling!
Your presence and influence in the classroom are more vital than ever before. If you were not compelled to get out of bed and come to school this morning, I pray these statistics come as a reminder of the distressed necessity of you being an educator in this generation.
Dear Lord, Thank you for calling and compelling us to reach out and teach our students. We are depending upon You for inspiration, help, strength, and joy. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Copyright Kathy Branzell.
Kathy has a heart for encouraging Christian educators and currently serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Prior to this role, she was the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators.
