As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. John 17:18, NIV
Lunch boxes of every shape and size; backpacks; chalk dust; dusty books; broken equipment; outdated computers; upright pianos; kickballs; tiny chairs; coffee stains and leftover donut sugar; reams of paper; paperclips; bulletin boards; yellow buses.
I confess that I love this place called school. This is the place we come back to every September. It is a place that produces baggy eyes, sleepless nights, tired joints, and exasperation. But, when you’re a teacher, it doesn’t matter. It’s “home.” And God has called you to this place. This is your mission field.
What does God want you to do in your school this year that no one else can do? Maybe you are feeling like you don’t have any special gifts or talents to share. Or maybe you feel like other teachers display better bulletin boards, master discipline problems, or create more elaborate lesson plans and class projects than you. If this is you, I want you to know that God has prepared a special job for you in your school this year.
Think about it…
The children you teach will never be this age again. How will you help them develop this year? The children you teach will never be with this same group of children again. How can you use the group’s dynamics to help them grow this year? You will never be this age again. What can you do at this point in your life because of your energy level or your wisdom that will not be possible at a different time in your life? The school where you teach may not have the same administrator next year, the same budget offerings, or the same amount of building space. How can you use all of these factors to glorify God this year?
I encourage you to be thankful for the place God has called you to this school year, and ask Him to help you “bloom where you are planted!”
Today, I want to thank You, Lord, for this time and this place, and for these students. Thank you for the energy and ideas You give me this day. May I bring honor to Your name. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired member and former board member of Christian Educators.
7 Responses
Thank you for your devotion. As a teacher going back next week to get my room ready, this devotion fits me perfectly. I will try to remember this great wisdom. Thank you!
We will be praying for you as you head back to school next week, Julie!
Thank you, Shirley, for this. There is a strange balance between energy and wisdom. Often our energy decreases as our wisdom increases. May we be like Caleb, as strong at 85 as he was at 40 (Joshua 14:10-11). I turn 60 in a month, and began to question my relevance, pondering when it would be time to step aside to make room for a younger generation. But the Lord has chosen to expand my role and impressed on me a calling to mentor the less experienced so they will be better equipped for His service.
I am excited to see what God will do in this new season.
Diana, you are such a blessing! Thank you for continuing to follow God’s plan. We are praying for you as you navigate this new season!
Thank you. Teaching not about competition between classes, office politics, or building your career, but it’s about the group of children God has gifted to your influence.
Thank you for your heart to minister to your students! God bless you, Audra!
amazing words for the first dat of school.Can’t wait to share with our staff! Thank you for sharing your insights