But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:30-32, KJV
I will never forget the day when one of my students pressed, no, stomped on every button I had. This student was rude and disrespectful. This student did everything to emphasize every behavior that cried out for all the attention. And even though I did my best to offer grace and allow for a fresh start every day, this child’s actions left me feeling defeated, discouraged, and drained.
That evening, I cried out to Jesus for help. As I ruminated on the day’s events and wrestled with my thoughts long into the evening, the Lord answered my prayers and laid a message on my heart.
His still, small voice asked me to reconsider what I thought He would have done if He had walked into my classroom that day. While in my wounded state, I had hoped that He would have wanted to spend time with me and heal my wounded spirit. But then I realized that Jesus’ mission that day would not have involved me. Instead, His focus would have been on that lost student because I already belong to Jesus, and I know He loves me. I believe this. And this unruly, undisciplined student needed Him even more than I did that day.
But, true to His nature, Jesus filled the hole in my spirit that evening too. He reminded me that as a believer, it is my responsibility to minister to those in need; and while I need to be ministered to as well, the ultimate goal was to bring this student to repentance. I needed to view tomorrow as another opportunity to offer this student grace.
Isn’t the Lord amazing? He ministered to me, a sinner saved by grace in that moment. He sat with me as I sought Him for help. He tended to my wounded spirit. I sat at His feet and He gave me His undivided attention. He met my needs right when I needed Him most.
As Christian educators, we can rely on God to meet all of our needs so that when we go to school, we can reach our students who are lost, especially those needing more grace than we can muster.
Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to always be prepared for spiritual battles so that I can meet the needs of others. Help me to emulate You in all that I do, so that I may have the power to love the unlovable. Thank you for Your patience and love for me, a sinner saved by Your amazing grace. Amen.
Copyright Tonie Weddle.
Tonie is a member and a language arts teacher in Kentucky.
