Abide

Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a teacher. I live in the southeastern part of the U.S. where we start back to school during the time of year that can best be described as Dante's nine levels of inferno stuffed into one humid, sticky and suffocating package of weather misery. Am I the only one who believes the only sane places to be right now are swimming pools and beaches?? Anyway, that is no matter because that is not where I will be beginning this first week of August. I will be going back to school for the 44th year (27 of those as a teacher). This time of year will always be hot. It will always be exciting (or dreadful depending on where you fall in on the debate), and it will always hit me right in the face with the challenges and expectations that lie ahead but not because the job is so terrible or the pay is so low. It's because this is when I feel the most weak, needy and undeserving to have been called to this path and so completely dependent on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me as I walk into my mission field for another year.

In chapter 13, the book of Acts, Saul and Barnabas are being commissioned to literally spread the good news to the nations of the world. By the way, teacher friends, have you paid attention to just how many nations you will encounter in your own classroom during the course of your career? I know I have never been to Russia, Bulgaria, China, Guatemala (the list is exhaustive since I've been doing this teaching thing for quite a while), but each of these places has been to me. Sorry, I can sometimes get distracted!...back to Saul and Barnabas--

So, Acts 13 tells us these two were praying, fasting, worshipping and ABIDING in the Holy Spirit. When it was time for them to go, they were ready, not because they were well-educated, strong, healthy or even charismatic. They were willing to be led, and they were prepared for the mission.

So, here's my question...am I ready? Am I ready for my calling to serve my students and their families this year? Have I prepared through prayer and fasting? Better yet, am I listening to His voice when I pray or just asking for Him to do my will instead of being willing to do His, even on the days it takes humility and grace beyond what I believe I posess? Am I ABIDING in His love so that I recognize His voice and desire in my heart to be near to Him so that others see Him through me?

Am I ready for my mission? Am I ready for the spiritual battle ahead as satan and his dark angels lie, plot and scheme against my students to seek out and destroy them and to discourage and weaken me? Do I have on that full armor of God--because let me tell you, I will need every single piece of that thing to fight against the powers of evil trying to conquer all that is good and HOLY.

Teacher friends, I am praying for you!

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:14-16)

I'd like to share these final Words from the scriptures to encourage you and lift you up as you accept the challenge and the immense privilege of your mission to serve God by bringing THE LIGHT, THE LOVE and THE HOPE (oh, do they need that hope) of our precious Savior to your students this year.

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.(Ephesians 3:7)

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:19-20)