“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:27-31, NIV
News flash: it’s a crazy world we live in…and getting more so every day. Yet Solomon tells us in Scripture that there’s nothing new under the sun! And when we really study the ancient civilizations recorded in the Bible, and their practices and beliefs, we encounter things that are just as abhorrent and unfortunately, often have familiar parallels to our own time.
In our day-to-day lives, we may feel powerless. Who am I, you may think, to try to change the world? I’m not a leader of nations, or someone with wealth and influence over public policy and the masses.
…or are you? Let’s do some quick math: how many students do you have on your roster every year? How many years do you expect to teach? Teachers, though not wealthy or of high esteem, are in a position of immense public influence, and at the prime “molding” time of a young person’s mind. At the end of a 30-year teaching career, you will have impacted thousands of children…one at a time, calling each one by name. This is more personal than a summer missions trip or financially supporting a few children overseas through donations—this is you, building relationships with individuals, praying for them by name, and representing the love of Christ to them for hours, five days a week. This is a weighty ministry—and it is one that can change the world.
You are worth more than many sparrows to the Father, and so are each one of those precious kiddos. Never underestimate the scope and impact of the work you have been given to do, and what it can accomplish in the Father’s hands.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet. Psalm 8:1-6, NIV
O Lord our God, thank you for the way You care for us, individually and by name. Please help us today to see each of our students through Your eyes. Even the difficult ones; remind us that they are more precious to You than many sparrows. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Copyright Rhapsody Jordan-Parisi.
Rhapsody is a Christian Educators member and high school English teacher from North Carolina. She is passionate about helping overwhelmed teachers reclaim their time and peace of mind through support, encouragement, and intentional strategies. You can connect with her at tightropeteaching.com.
