Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3: 12-17, NIV

Teaching can be scary and hard. The news makes it seem scary, social media makes it seem hard, and sometimes, realistically, it is scary and hard.

And I’m not going to lie, at times I have questioned if it truly is the Lord’s plan for me.

So when my friend asked me the other day if I consider my classroom my mission field, I felt like the Lord was speaking to me through the answer I gave her.

I told my friend that teaching is scary and hard, but I know it is what the Lord has called me to do. And sometimes, what the Lord calls you to do isn’t easy. However, the Lord will always be there to guide you, pick you back up (like He is doing right now for me), and bless you.

I also told my friend that as a teacher, I feel like a servant of the Lord every day when I comfort my students, tend to their needs, listen to them, make them feel loved, and teach them morals in addition to academics. And what a joy and privilege it is to be a servant to the One who did such a hard thing for me.

Teacher friends, if teaching is what the Lord has called you to do, keep fighting the good fight. Keep being a servant. Keep loving those babies. Our world is a scary place, but we can shine our light and spread the love of Jesus to those who may not find it anywhere else. Don’t grow weary! The Lord has a plan and you will be blessed by fulfilling it.

Thank you, Lord, for the sweet friend that asked me this question, allowing me to understand why He has called me to teach. Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes to this today. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to feel Your presence. Thank you, Lord, for the students You have allowed me to teach this year. Thank you, Lord, for my fellow teachers. Thank you, Lord, for all of the people who support me as I fulfill Your purpose for my life.

Copyright Sydney Jordan.

Sydney is a kindergarten teacher in Kentucky.