Welcome to the online, weekly devotional just for teachers!
Be sure to add us to your favorites and let other teachers know about us.
TEACH THEM TO BE WILLING
Isaiah 1:19 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;”
His teacher said, “Johnny, I must insist that you put away your art tools and come into the reading circle.” (Can you feel Johnny’s inner struggle? He’s obviously not finished with his project.) Finally, kicking his chair and mumbling under his breath, Johnny takes his seat in the reading circle. He obeys but his heart is not willing.
Teachers see this scenario several times a week. Obedience is not easy. Willing obedience is even more difficult.
In Psalms 51, David prays a prayer of repentance asking for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. He wrote, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalms 51:12). Why does David ask for a willing spirit? He knows it will sustain him. He is asking God to protect him from stubborn self-will that leads to rebellion. He wants to follow willingly with a joyful heart rather than grudgingly obeying because of duty. David knows that God has the sustaining power to keep his heart pliable and teachable through conflicts. Through tough experiences, David learned that the Spirit of God is the only one that can change a rebel into a follower of God .
Did you fully grasp that last statement? Only God can change a rebel into a follower of Christ! A follower is more than someone who obeys the rules or does what he is asked. He takes instruction into his heart, changes his path, and chooses to become like his teacher (Luke 6:42).
Don’t forget to address heart issues when you train your students. What’s going on in the inside of the child is more important than what shows in the outward behavior. Teach your students the value of “willing” obedience. Isaiah 1:19 and Psalms 51:12 tell us that a willing heart brings joy, sustains life, and allows you to have the “best” in life. We must be willing to become willing. By giving up our stubbornness--by taking a deep breath and letting go of “our way”--we submit our hearts to God. When we submit, God can give us the willing heart that leads us to obedient actions.
You cannot make your students willingly obey. Only God can deal with heart issues. However, you can appeal to them and instruct them in the way of a “willing heart”. They need to understand what is happening in their own heart. The more they gain understanding on how to deal with their own stubbornness, the sooner they will submit to your leadership. This will help them find contentment and success.
DEAR GOD, GIVE ME A WILLING HEART TO FOLLOW YOU AND YOUR PRECEPTS. CREATE A PURER OBEDIENCE IN MY OWN LIFE AS I COMMIT TO TEACH MY STUDENTS WILLING OBEDIENCE. EVEN AS JESUS PRAYED IN THE GARDEN OF GESTHAMANE, I PRAY, “NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS. . .” (LUKE 22:42)
RESTORATION BUILDS GRATITUDE
Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
A knock at the door interrupted my language lesson. I quickly assigned some work to my students to do while I spoke with the visitor. I stepped just outside the classroom and had a short conversation with the parent. Meanwhile, the noise level began to escalate in my classroom. I could tell things were getting out of control, so I excused myself and returned to my class.
I wasn’t very pleased with my students. And, of course, I told them so. I lectured them about honoring visitors and being self-controlled and learning to be responsible. I gave them a warning about what would happen if this behavior ever happened again. Their eyes were wide and you could feel the tension in the room. I knew they had gotten my message. Now it was time to restore them.
As soon as I finished my lecture, I paused and just looked at them. I then took a deep breath and exhaled loudly and said, “Whew! Aren’t we glad that’s over with? Let’s get back to work.” Then I smiled.
The tension broke; you could see their muscles relax. Everything was back to normal. Puzzled, I watched silently as a girl stood up and came toward me. “We love you, Mrs. Wyrick,” she said as she put her arms around me and hugged me. I smiled, patted her shoulder, and she returned to her seat.
I then understood the value of restoration. My students knew they were guilty. They were old enough to “know better”. They were also immature enough to get caught up in a conversation and not think about it at the time. They needed forgiveness. My smile and release of tension through my words and body language communicated forgiveness to them. The young girl responded with gratefulness.
Restoration will be your spontaneous reaction when you turn your heart toward your students. Because I inwardly released my students from their immature behavior, restoration was a natural response. My students got my message; that was what I wanted. To do any more correction than that on a first offense would have been overbearing.
Dear God, Give me a forgiving heart toward others. Teach me to restore someone when it is obvious they know that they are wrong.
RENEW YOUR STRENGTH
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
How “alive” are you spiritually today? Have you fallen into the trap of being too busy for your personal devotions? Has your personal and school duties pushed aside your quiet times with God? If so, I urge you to find the “Secret Place” with God again. Your ministry will be affected when you find your spiritual fervor dwindle.
To win students to Christ, a teacher must have a vibrant, close and personal relationship with God. Your excitement and interest about the things of God will be a light in a dark world. Your students will only be drawn to Christ through your consistent lifestyle of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility and self-control.
Teaching is time consuming. There are papers to grade, reports to maintain, lessons to prepare, bulletin boards to create, and many other unending duties to do. It’s easy to begin to leave out your devotion time--not purposely, but from what seems to be necessity. Be careful; your light will become dim. You must stay connected to the source of spiritual light to shine. We are only the conduits of light. Without the source of power, our light will fade into darkness. Satan will encourage you toward activities—even good ones—so you have no time to grow spiritually. A sense of duty can be a trap. To always be there for your coworkers, your boss, your family members, your students, your friends, and your fellowman but neglecting your personal time in the Scriptures and prayer is like trying to give them a glass of water with an empty pitcher. You have nothing to pour out to others until you are filled up with God.
Go back to the place where you lost your first love. It is still there; rekindle the fire. Find a quiet place outdoors. Read Psalms 8 and Psalms 19 aloud. Read the Psalms aloud. Review the four Gospels. Begin to meditate on the Words of Jesus, the love of God, the beauty of His creation, and His faithfulness. As you wait before God privately, you will be renewed.
DEAR GOD, RENEW MY MIND AND MY SPIRIT TODAY. HELP ME TO ONCE AGAIN HAVE THAT FIRST LOVE FOR YOU THAT MADE EVERY MORNING NEW. AS I WAIT BEFORE YOU AND STUDY YOUR WORD, GIVE ME FRESH MANNA FOR TODAY.
DO YOU LOVE ME?
PS 36:7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
I met my husband when I was 12 and he was 14. Our unusual dating pattern began when I was 16. Dean called me once every month to ask me out for a Saturday night. I didn’t hear from him again until 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the each month when he asked me out for the third Saturday. After 10 months of once-a-month dating, I realized how much I cared for him. In fact, I knew I was falling in love with him, but I wasn’t sure how he felt about me.
In June, at the end of our monthly date, Dean asked me if he could call me about 2:00 a.m. during his midnight shift at the bakery. I agreed. I waited up until 3:30 a.m. and finally went to bed wondering why he didn’t call.
The next morning my dad woke me up and told me that Dean had been in an accident. My heart stopped! “What kind of an accident? Is he okay?” I asked. My dad didn’t know. He said that Dean was asking for me, so his mother called the house, but she didn’t give any details. My imaginations ran wild. I dressed quickly and my dad took me to the hospital. Dean had crushed his hand in a dough-rolling machine early into the shift. He was in a lot of pain, but when I saw him, my heart leaped. I knew he loved me!
My discovery of God’s love was also dramatic for me. Although I gave my life to Jesus when I was eight and made a lifetime commitment to follow him at twelve, I didn’t truly know that God loved me unconditionally until I was thirty. I will never forget the moment when the revelation of God’s love dropped from my head to my heart. I cried. I rejoiced. I marveled. And, again, I totally committed my life to Christ, but this time out of love not duty.
When you know that you are loved, you feel secure. You become safe enough to be real; you find the freedom to discover who you really are. I “escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare” Ps. 124:7. No more condemnation. I was loved, accepted and forgiven.
Do you know that Jesus loves you? Do you really understand that He not only died for you but also constantly watches over you (Ps. 121:7-8)? God begins the relationship with you by wooing you. He then continues to draw you to Himself to complete the good work in you that he starts (Job 36:16; Phil 1:6). God chose you and purchased you with his son’s blood; you are not your own (John 15:16; l Cor. 6:20). He asks you not to strive but to follow, not to fret but to trust, not to change yourself but to allow God to do the work in you. He is all sufficient; find your refuge in his sufficiency not your own. Jesus loves you!
The revelation of God’s unconditional love will prepare you to love and care for your students unconditionally. Understanding the unfathomable mercy God extends to you can fill your heart with grace and mercy and hope for your students who are diamonds in the rough. God’s love can equip teachers to see potential in immature, unpolished, and sometimes thoughtless children. As you pray for each student, God can fill your heart with concern and commitment to care for each individual student. Embrace God’s unconditional love for you and for your students. It will change your life.
DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNFAILING LOVE. OPEN MY EYES AND HELP ME TO SEE THE TRUTH. I WANT TO LOVE YOU MORE.
HELP ME TO WATCH MY WORDS AS I WATCH MY HEART
Romans 3:13-14 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.""The poison of vipers is on their lips." [14] "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
The Christmas break is a perfect time for reflecting on our spiritual walk with God and our social standing with our neighbors. According to Luke 6:45, the words we say reflect the spiritual condition of our hearts. More and more I understand that my attitudes shape my thoughts and my words. When I stuff issues and refuse to work through conflicts, my words become bitter and attacking. Disagreements and anger, which are allowed to linger, affect how I perceive my world. It’s like a colored lens that changes the color of everything around me.
Today’s Scripture refers to the throat as a tunnel from the heart to the tongue. It is an open “grave”—a place of death for those whose heart is continually evil. The words of these transgressors are poison to everyone; they are full of deception, cursing, bitterness, and death. Their antagonism reflects a heart that is out of fellowship with God—a heart that has allowed darkness to overshadow good.
I prefer to think this verse refers only to non-believers; however, all of us fall short of God’s best (Romans 3:10). 1 John 1:8 tells us that there is no one without sin. And, my experience convinces me that I have the capacity to build bitterness and anger in my heart even though I am a child of God. If I allow darkness to shadow my heart, it will tinge my outlook on life. And, my mouth will reveal my heart’s condition through unkind, thoughtless words.
Bitter and angry words warn me of the need to make my heart right with God and my fellowman. I must put on humility and submit myself before God’s throne. I then allow Him to cleanse my heart so that my words will become pure. With God’s unlimited power, with His mercy and His grace, He changes my heart and renews my mind because of my repentance.
As we daily walk upright before God, taking the log out of our own eye, we will be able to help our students get their splinters out too (Matthew 7:3-5). In other words, teachers who continually cleanse their hearts before the Lord will be better prepared to help their students see their need for restoration with their friends, parents and teachers.
DEAR GOD—HELP ME TO QUICKLY RECOGNIZE THE TIMES WHEN MY HEART BEGINS TO BE FILLED WITH BITTERNESS AND ANGER. I WANT TO COMMIT MYSELF TO KEEPING SHORT ACCOUNTS WITH MY FELLOWMAN AND WITH YOU. LET MY WORDS BE PURE AND PLEASANT AS YOU PURIFY MY HEART ONCE AGAIN.
HELP ME SOW SEEDS WORTH REAPING
Job 4:8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
James 3:17-18 [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Teachers as well as students desire good treatment. They want to be accepted, to feel loved, and to know that their opinion is heard. Unfortunately, too many don’t realize that honor and respect are earned. They are not automatic rights.
If a student brings an unusual report to the teacher, what will cause her to listen? If a teacher has a creative idea or another way to do something, what will make the administrator interested? When an irate parent brings a negative report about a teacher to the principal, what will cause the principal to stand up for the teacher? The answer to all three of these questions is the same. The person's reputation and his past behavior affect the authority’s response. These are times of reaping what you sowed.
Proverbs tells us that those who are faithful and loving will find favor and have a good reputation in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3-4). Obedient students earn privileges and trust. Responsible teachers earn respect, renewed contracts, and good working relationships with students, parents, and the principal. Godly leaders bring blessing and peace to a school (PR 29:2). Each of these examples shows the principle of sowing good seed and then reaping blessings. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).
Each day examine your seeds. Are your actions righteous? Will they bring good fruit to you later? Are you blessing or cursing others? Are you supporting leadership or criticizing them? Are you completely obeying their directives? Are you diligent in your responsibilities? Are you showing yourself to be trustworthy? If not, you can change your sowing today. Plant good seeds today and after many days you will reap a good harvest.
DEAR GOD, EXAMINE MY HEART TO SEE IF THERE ARE UNRIGHTEOUS SEEDS BEING SOWN. FORGIVE ME WHERE I HAVE FAILED. FORGIVE ME FOR MY STUBBORNNESS AND MY SELF-WILL. WITH YOUR HELP I WILL CHOOSE TO PLANT GOOD SEEDS TODAY.
CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED
Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Paul states that he has “learned to be content”. He knew what it was like to be in the top echelon of society. He was an educated, “high class” citizen of his time. He also experienced being arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and rejected because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He knew the best of times and the worst of times. And, through it all he gained contentment.
True contentment comes as we mature and realize there is a greater purpose in life than pleasure. We often learn that the things we seek with our whole heart are still not enough to satisfy us. The young person who seeks popularity, a great career, a family, a home, a new car and nice things usually finds that they are not as gratifying as expected. This disappointment can lead to depression and hopelessness. Or, it can lead to seeking a greater purpose in life. Paul discarded all of the “clout” as an elite member of society to follow Christ. It was in his commitment to Christ that he found contentment. Proverbs 19:23 says -- The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
It is not what you have or who you know that brings true contentment in life. But rather, it is getting your relationship with God in its right place. Security begins with knowing that Christ is your provider, your strength, your protection and your forgiveness. Allowing God to lead your daily decisions and knowing that God is in the middle of all of your experience, good or bad, brings rest and peace to your life. As you grow in your relationship with Christ and learn to lean only on him, you will then become content no matter what your circumstances are for today.
Your students will be drawn to the “peace that passes understanding” seen in your daily walk. When you see them following you, point them past you to Christ. Help them to see the difference Christ has made in your life.
DEAR GOD, I AM NOT ALWAYS CONTENT. SOMETIMES I DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM WANTING. TEACH ME TO FIND MY CONTENTMENT IN YOU.
HELP ME TO MAINTAIN A
POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE IN MY CLASSROOM
Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
As the second half of the year approaches, teachers have the opportunity to evaluate their classrooms and make adjustments to procedures and school climate. The teacher determines the classroom atmosphere. If your class is unhappy and full of strife the first place you must check for error is in yourself. If you lead "righteously", your students will rejoice that you are their teacher, but if you are unjust and moody and fail to show the love of Christ daily, your students will not enjoy your class. Teacher should not be self-seeking or self-serving. Jesus laid down his life for his followers. He spent his time teaching, giving, healing, and serving mankind.
Many times teachers create their own discipline problems through inconsistent discipline and a lack of routine in the classroom. Children function better when the rules are clear, concise and consistently enforced. Mood swings confuse students. All of us have bad days, but, as professionals, we do not have the luxury of allowing our moods to rule our behavior. If you (the teacher) causes the laughter in the classroom, do not punish the student who can’t pull himself back together as fast as you would like. Instead, allow him to get a drink or separate from the group long enough to regain control. Teach him the importance of learning when to play and when to get back to work.
Smile. Be friendly. Be personable. Be interesting. Have some excitement about your lesson. Be professional. All of these traits will help create a positive atmosphere. Students do not need you to be their second mom or big brother or best friend. What they want and need is a leader—a teacher who can connect new information to what they already know, to make the lesson relevant to their lives, and to offer a safe place to study and learn where they don’t have to fear being bullied or embarrassed by classmates or teachers.
You may want to spend some quiet time with God seeking wisdom and understanding on how to improve the second part of your year. God promises that he will give you wisdom when you ask.
DEAR GOD, GIVE ME THE GRACE TO FACE MYSELF AND TO SEE THE TRUTH ABOUT MY SHORTCOMINGS AND MY WRONG ATTITUDES. GIVE ME THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE AREAS THAT ARE OUT OF ORDER. MAY I ALWAYS WALK IN SUBMISSION TO YOUR WILL AND PURPOSES. BUILD CONSISTENCY AND A PLEASANT ATTITUDE IN MY DAILY WALK.
AM I REBELLIOUS?
Titus 1:10, 15 [10] For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure…
“You are rebellious to your husband.” I was shocked. Who me? I never considered myself rebellious. I never openly talked back. How could I be rebellious? Then I sensed it in my heart again. “You are not honoring your husband. You are not allowing him to lead your family.” I knew God was speaking to me.
“Yes, Father. Show me what to do. Help me to understand.” I prayed. Then God began to deal with me regarding honor and respect—respect from the heart. A few months later I heard my husband tell our friend that he had a new wife. He was not sure what happened, but he sure could tell the difference. Praise the Lord!
Passive rebellion—that is the correct term for my attitude. I never said no or talked back to my husband when he made a request of me, but I often ignored or forgot to do what he asked me to do. If I did not agree with him, rather than discuss my opinion and come into agreement with him, I just ignored what he had to say.
Do the above paragraphs make you angry? Are you thinking, “She shouldn’t have to obey her husband if she doesn’t agree with him”? Colossians 3:18 says, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” My husband’s requests were neither harsh nor excessive. Looking back now I realize that I was the one that was unreasonable.
Rebellion is rampant in today’s society. It is so common that often we do not recognize it. Isaiah 58 warns us about the consequences of rebellion. People seek God and seem eager to know His ways, but they continue to do as they please, quarreling and fighting. They miss God’s blessings and the Joy of the Lord because they choose there own way rather than the way of obedience.
Obedience is the foundation of all character. Humility is the initial requirement of obedience. Pride refuses to follow and refuses to release preferences and opinions to respect someone with differing opinions. God sets leaders in place (Romans 13). God may use leaders to test our willingness to humble ourselves and choose to obey. We haven't fully experienced obedience until we choose to do what we prefer not to do. Otherwise, we are just walking in agreement. God calls us to obey those in authority over us. Search your heart. Are you rebellious or obedient to your leaders? Remember, “…everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40).” If we disobey school rules or passively disobey our principals, our students will become just like us. If you want respectful, obedient students, you must plant seeds of obedience in your own life. Humble yourself before God and allow him to reveal hidden sin in your heart.
DEAR GOD, I DON’T WANT TO BE REBELLIOUS. CHANGE MY HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT IN ME (PS. 51:10).
KEEP YOUR HEART WITH DILIGENCE
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)
Attitudes make or break our day. One look or one wrong word can destroy a good day. What happened? What caused the dramatic change? Perhaps, without our knowledge, we have developed a "heart" problem. Unresolved issues with our principal, fellow teachers, parents, students, family members, neighbors, or with God Himself can cause this malfunction of the spiritual “heart”. Unsettled problems create rifts or division in our lives that affect the attitudes of the heart.
Scripture tells us to watch over our heart. It affects our entire day. How do we "keep our heart with all diligence"? In Jeremiah 17:9 we read The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I believe that only the Holy Spirit can reveal our true motives and the condition of our heart! David prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10) He realized that only God could set his heart and attitude right again.
When things seem out of sync, emotions flair, and relationships suffer, I search for root heart issues crying out to God for help. First, I confess with my mouth that things are not right (even when I don't know the root issues). Then, I ask God to reveal to me where I have wronged my fellowman, or suffered a wound, or failed to forgive, or chose to judge, or disobeyed. I ask for understanding on how to make things right. Next, I spend time reading a related passage of Scripture--meditating on it--looking for truth to apply to my situation. Finally, when the Holy Spirit reveals truth to me and brings conviction, I repent and commit myself to do what is required to clear the offense (Matthew 5 & 18).
I know that the Holy Spirit can set my heart right again. He has done it for me time and again. My peace and joy depends upon a clean heart. A clean heart comes when I take care of offenses. We can be assured that He who began a good work in you [us], will carry it on to completion... (Phil.1:6). He's just a prayer away!
DEAR GOD, DO HEART SURGERY ON ME. TAKE MY HEART OF STONE AND REPLACE IT WITH A HEART OF FLESH (Ezek. 11:19) Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14)
HELP ME TO CLEAR OFFENSES WITH MY STUDENTS
Proverbs 18:19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
As a Christian teacher, my greatest desire is to walk as Jesus walked so I can lead others to the foot of the cross. The above verse reminds me that an offended student will not only refuse to follow me to the cross, but will build "bars" around his heart and not allow any of God's truth that I teach penetrate his mind. If I offend a student, I have become a stumbling block to his walk with Christ.
"I did what was right! He asked for it, and I gave it to him!" I reasoned with myself. But the truth remained; I offended a little one by the attitude I had when I corrected him. Jesus said in Luke 17:2 that it would be better that a millstone be hung around my neck and I be thrown into the deepest sea, than to offend a little one. Ou-Ou-Ouch! That's hard. I am held responsible because I am the adult.
"Well, okay. How do I correct it?" I asked the Lord. Matthew 5:23-24 instructs me to leave my gift (of worship and service) at the altar and make it right before my fellowman and then return to the altar. I must apologize. My apology is not for the "correction" that I gave, but for the lack of love and the wrong attitude that I used when I corrected my student. My correction must be "for" my students, not against them. I have not completed the correction process until I have restored my student back to the classroom and to me as a person. This is the only way to avoid "walls" of communication. A student who is cut off from communication is a student who cannot and will not be taught.
Restoration begins with an apology, then is followed by including the student in normal daily activities. Often students are willing to forgive quickly if they feel your apology is sincere. Avoid—“If I have offended you” or “If I hurt your feelings.” You need to be direct by saying something like “I need to ask you to forgive me for being unkind (or too harsh) when I said … (or did)…”God will give you the right tone and the right words if you will prepare your heart before him. Apologize quickly, but think through your statements before you make them. A thoughtless, unfelt apology can do more damage than no apology. Lastly, don’t delay. Time gives opportunity for the offense to grow and spread to other students.
DEAR GOD, FORGIVE ME FOR OFFENDING MY STUDENT. FORGIVE ME FOR TAKING THEIR BEHAVIOR PERSONALLY. TEACH ME TO RESTORE AS I DISCIPLINE; GIVE ME WISDOM TODAY TO BREAK THE WALL DOWN BETWEEN US.
HELP ME TO KNOW WHY I AM HERE
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love NIV.
There may be days when you may question your choice of the teaching profession. Sometimes teachers feel that teaching is the most thankless, frustrating, self-sacrificing job there is on the face of the Earth. We may even ask ourselves this question, "What did I do to deserve this?"
Jesus said, "I have chosen you…NIV" (John 15:16, 19) You were created and designed by God to fulfill a purpose--God's 'calling' (Rom 11:29, I Cor. 7:20). The calling God places upon you will be the very thing that makes you happy and fulfilled
Search your heart; ask God to reveal to you His "calling" and then rest in that calling knowing that God will use the everyday routine to further His Kingdom. Lives are built lesson by lesson, bit by bit, day by day. Therefore, we often are unable to see growth in our students (and in us) for months and sometimes even years. We must yield ourselves to be vessels available for God's service. As we press toward God's will, the growth produced in our students and in us will be rewarding and satisfying.
Put your chin up and go forward with purpose--His calling! In due season, you will reap (Gal. 6:9).
Dear God--Thank you for reminding me again that you have placed me in this job for this time in my life. Every student in my classroom is part of my calling for this year. Help me to keep my perspective free of muddle and self-pity. Again, I present myself as a living sacrifice for your service