It is almost here … time for sharpened pencils, the scent of new crayons, and updated bulletin boards. Whether you like it or not, summer is over and school is about to be in session.
As you get ready for the 2015-16 school year, have you reached into the back of your closet and pulled out your teacher armor? Yes, I did say teacher armor. I know you hung it up at the end of the school year, there, in the back of your closet. It’s time to pull it out, tune it up, oil the joints, and make sure it’s in mint condition. As teachers, we walk into a mission field daily. How prepared are you for the upcoming challenge?
It is written in Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God.” As I reflect on this verse, I do wonder: Am I prepared for the journey God has in store for me? Not only what will I teach this year, but what will I learn?
With all we encounter, we do need the daily reminder to “… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12b-14 NIV). What would it look like to walk into our classrooms wearing the armor of God? What would it look like to approach that parent meeting being clothed in compassion? Or having the patience for one more conversation with the child that has already had too many reminders? The good news is, God daily gives us all the tools we need. He equips us; we are not alone!
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God wants to daily fine-tune our hearts, thoughts, and actions to be more like His. He gives us the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit (ref. Ephesians 6:14-17). Starting each day in the Word helps us to re-center and renew our purpose. Thankfully, it is not done with our own power, but the ever-equipping gifts of the Spirit.
Our classrooms are our mission field, and together we wage a daily tussle for hearts to be won for eternal life. Be encouraged that you are gifted for your calling, and that you have been given the appropriate skills for Kingdom work. Enter the doors with grace and humility and know that a teachable heart teaches others.
