Two incidents happened this week I really had not thought about until last evening. At the time I didn’t think much about what had taken place, but in retrospect, quite a lot did happen. I never took notice until now.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I Am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
One of the incidents dealt with various things happening over a break. I don’t recall what brought the subject up; it may have been children in general, since I work for the school district. Nevertheless, I was telling my co-workers what had happened to me in my Bible study class for 2nd-5th graders. I told them the story of a 2nd grader. While teaching the class I go through my curriculum. About the last 15 minutes of class I go over with them the five acts of worship, the steps to becoming a Christian, and we sing the apostles song (this teaches the names of the apostles). I explain week after week the meaning of being a Christian, God’s pattern for worship, all the basics, and the Scriptures.
As is my habit, each week I will hold up the Bible and ask them what it is. They repeat back to me that it is God’s Word, the Mind of God. This past week I added that God’s Word is something else. A little boy asked me, “What?” I told him it was a road map. If this young man wanted to get to Disney World, he would have to have a map. This child looked at me and said, “We don’t need a road map, we have GPS.” Children… Just when I think I have it all under control.
It was a humorous story to me, but while recounting it, I noticed all were listening, and I never thought about that having been a teaching moment. It was just a story, and they listened.
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; . . . ” Matthew 13:38
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Matthew 5:13
The other incident involved a co-worker. She had been going through some personal problems. I received a text message from her asking if God would be pleased with her regarding how she was handling a situation. She is not a Christian, but she comes to me for answers. I sent a text back saying, yes, she had done what was right, and gave book, chapter and verse. I pray she comes to a knowledge of the Truth, but those two moments were more important than I had originally thought.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” I Peter 3:15-16
There was a time when I was withdrawn and afraid, but God’s Word taught me not to be afraid any longer. I speak up when the need arises, depending on Him to be with me as I teach.
“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:8
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, Not withstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.” Philippians 4:13-14
“There was always a minority afraid of something, and a great majority afraid of the dark, afraid of the future, afraid of the past, afraid of the present, afraid of themselves and shadows of themselves.”
~ Bradbury
Eileen Light