Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. I Peter 2:13 & 15, NIV
The large puddle, now iced over, seemed to invite every child on the playground. Even with a spacious play area complete with modern play equipment and other activities galore, children were drawn to take a slide on the ice. Some would stay there for the entire recess period. Finally, seeing the danger to these eager children, the principal outlawed anyone from stepping on the ice. Even then, a teacher had to stand nearby to enforce the new rule. For some children, the new regulation made the ice even more appealing!
Why is it that we are drawn to the forbidden? Why do we balk when given a new regulation: an extra day in the school year’s teacher schedule, more paperwork tasks, new parking regulations that may make life more difficult, more minutes of non-teaching duties, a new teaching assignment, etc? At some point, we have all said, at least to ourselves, “They can’t make me do it!”
As Christian educators, how should we respond when faced with new requirements? Of course, we are obligated to speak up when appropriate. However, once a new regulation goes into effect, while others may try to get around it or ignore it, we should do our best to be compliant. Whether the rule benefits everyone or not is irrelevant. Even in small matters, Christ will be honored in our lives when we do our best to create and maintain peace with all those around us.
Oh Lord, we choose to honor You in all we do today. Please help us keep You before our eyes at all times.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired member and former board member of Christian Educators.
