But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exodus 20:6, NLT
Educator, you spend your days pouring yourself out. You listen closely, redirect patiently, encourage consistently, and show up—even when the progress feels slow or nonexistent. You see students who struggle to trust love because of what they’ve experienced, and you quietly try to show them something better. You do this because love matters. You know it changes everything.
And yet, somewhere along the way, it can become easy to forget that the same love you offer is the very love God longs for you to receive.
Many of us carry an unspoken belief that love—especially God’s love—must be earned. We transfer the rhythms of our profession into our faith: work harder, try again, do better tomorrow. But God’s love does not rise and fall with lesson outcomes, classroom behavior, test scores, or your sense of effectiveness. His love is not cautious or conditional. Scripture calls it lavish—poured out generously, not sparingly.
As educators, we understand the ache of giving when the response isn’t what we hoped for. We know what it’s like to keep showing up when gratitude is scarce. That’s why God’s response to His people throughout Scripture is so striking. When they wandered, complained, forgot, and failed—He stayed. He remained patient. He kept loving. Over and over again.
Through Jesus, that same steadfast love is extended to you. Not because you’ve done everything right, but because God knows you never could—and He loves you anyway.
What if, before you give another ounce of energy today, you paused to receive? What if letting God love you looked like releasing the replay of a lesson that didn’t land… or extending grace to yourself for a moment you wish you could redo? What if it meant trusting that God sees every unseen act of faithfulness in your classroom and honors it?
You tell students they matter. You remind them they are seen, known, and valued. Today, God speaks that truth over you. You were never meant to run on empty. God isn’t asking you to do more right now. He’s inviting you to receive more—His patience, His grace, His lavish love.
Where have you been striving instead of receiving? What might it look like to let God love you right where you are today?
Lord, help me release the need to earn what You freely give. Teach me to rest in Your love so I can lead, teach, and serve from a place of fullness. Amen.
Copyright Dr. Jackie Minor.
Dr. Jackie Minor is the Director of Victorious Educator Ministries and the author of the newly released book: Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display. You can connect with her or learn more at www.victoriouseducator.com.
