As some of you know...I used to teach elementary and middle school. It was a job that I loved dearly. I ran across this devotional and thought it would be a great way to honor your child's teacher (if applicable). It comes from Charles Swindoll...
A HIGH CALLING
by Charles R. Swindoll
Ephesians 4:11-16
Many professions draw public attention like warm watermelon draws flies. Those who practice them are constantly in the news. If it isn’t the money they make, it’s the company they keep or the trends they set or the controversy they spawn. Their notoriety is somewhere between amazing and appalling.
There is one profession, however, that is neither notorious nor controversial. Although essential to our future as a nation, being inseparably linked to the home as few other professions are, it has been treated like a stepchild.
Those who make their living in this field press on against overwhelming odds. They live with criticism they usually don’t deserve. They invest extra hours for which they are never compensated. They maintain a standard of excellence regardless of resistance. They remain enthusiastic in spite of daily discouragements. They apply creativity and every motivational technique they can muster without applause or thanks from their recipients.
Fueled by hope, these brave men and women shape minds, stretch imaginations, challenge thinking, and model consistency. They have one major enemy they fight with tireless energy: ignorance.
Who are the relentless, courageous heroes I’m describing? By now you know. They are those who teach.
The tools of their trade may not seem that impressive—a piece of chalk, a book, an overhead projector, a homework assignment, a smile of encouragement, a nod of affirmation, a strong word of warning, a question to answer, a problem to solve. How powerful are those adept with such tools!
Teachers. Tough-minded, clear-thinking, ever-learning educators who gave me their time and their attention, who early on overlooked my immaturity, who saw raw material behind my boredom, overactivity, and mischievousness, who held my feet to the fire and dared me to grab the challenge, who had enough wisdom to drop the bait in just the right places to hook me for life.
So to all of you who teach, hats off. Yours is an invaluable profession, a calling sure and high and noble, a model we cannot live without if we expect to remain strong and free.
Don’t quit. If ever we needed you, we need you today.
Think about those who taught you.
Thank God for them and the lifelong value of their investment in you.
Thanks to Mr. Scozz my 5th grade teacher. He believed in me and helped shape me into who I am today.
What teacher in your past influenced you? Thank God for them this morning! Blessings to you all as you dive into Thursday!
Pastor Brian
6 comments:
Good morning. I was a person who didn't like school very much because it got in the way of play. My 1st A I remember receiving was in 5th grade; that was a break through for me. Earlier that year I had been caught cheating on a spelling test....not really because I had never used my cheat sheet. I realized that by writing down the words it allowed me to remember. Of course, I didn't have to cheat because I knew the correct spelling. Dummy that I was, I crumpled up my cheat sheet & threw it in the desk and that's what the teacher found. Boy did I have an uphill battle explaining that one. I guess the A showed that I didn't cheat. I'm sure that teacher was special, but I got in a lot of trouble from that & I didn't cheat!!!
There are many things about my/our God potentials that are like my story. I didn't think that I was smart enough to get an A without cheating; "I am not good enough... to be a good christian .... to be committed in a ministry!"
God has used my efforts as a usher to bless me with favor, admiration, priase & other neat things. The timing of my election to be a Head Usher really couldn't have been worse, but I know that God is not done with me yet. God has used what I was willing to give & has multiplied that effort many times over. I respect whatever a person wants to give to their ministry & try to influence them into giving more for God's Glory, Honor, & Praise. Giving for the right reason is critical because more blessing will result from the right heart/mind attitude. I love you guys!
12 more minutes before the rest of you sleepy heads crawl out of bed... the 6 A.M. crew.
We have a God of more than enough; able to provide for all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus;
From 2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Just some passages that will give you that morning boost! Have a great & glorious day devoted to God!
Morning, I'm here but it is 11am in Hartlepool! Enjoying these daily devotions and also the follow up comments you're all posting. Today led me thinking to just how many teachers have impacted on my life in different ways. Have a good day.
Good morning Jeff we are glad you join us welcome to the FRC family.
Good morning everyone...glad you are enjoying the devotionals. If you know someone who doesn't know they are here...let them know! It is my prayer that each morning you can connect with God and each other through this campus page. Blessings to you today!
Pastor Brian
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