By Linda Sue Lowry
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as done for the Lord, not for men, knowing that you will receive your reward of an inheritance from the Lord--You serve the Lord Jesus. Col 3:23-24 HCSB
No believer disputes that the schools are a mission field. Twenty-three years in the public school system prepared me for serving overseas as other specific field training did not. Teaching in Asia brought similar challenges as faced in US school systems. Add in cultural and religious differences, language barriers, and climate differences; the challenges were multiplied. No matter your role in the school system--teacher, administrator, support, custodial, or volunteer--all face challenges daily. These challenges may relate to, among others, fear, the opinion of others, age, or relationships.
Fear: Am I going to do enough or be enough to do my job correctly? Will I keep my position?
Opinion of others: I feel judged, misunderstood; my skills and abilities are underestimated or underutilized.
Age: I lack experience for this position; I am too old for this job; I’m deemed inadequate because I am younger; I am deemed obsolete because I am older.
Relationships: Is there a balance of respect between supervisor and subordinates, coworkers, teacher and student, or teacher and parent? Whatever the problems or challenges, they cause us to step out of our comfort zone, teaching us to grow as a person and as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Col 3:23-24 speaks to us for just such situations and is applicable no matter what your role in the school system. I taped these verses on my file cabinet, inside my locker door, on my mirror, and on my bookcase. God used them to help me face a myriad of challenges in a multitude of situations here and in Asia.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians and Laodiceans, lays out practical guidance for believers in an assortment of roles. The advice he gives is timeless.
In some scripture versions, enthusiastically is replaced with willingly, wholeheartedly, work at it with all your heart, or work from the soul. We are reminded for whom we truly work. When we feel underappreciated, underpaid, overworked, or overwhelmed, we can take comfort in the promise that we have a reward, an inheritance waiting for us in heaven. We work for the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart, reflecting your priority. Remembering that I am working for my Lord Jesus Christ-not for man, changes my attitude and helps me better deal with challenging relationships, fears, age issues, and the opinions of others. His payoff is greater than any I will receive on earth.
May you remember the promise of this verse during the schoolyear, and work wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and willingly as for the Lord Jesus.
LINDA SUE LOWRY taught primary grades and special needs in several schools in Volusia County from 1976-1999. She then spent two years teaching for the Department of Defense Dependents School in Germany. For a total of seventeen years she taught various things to all levels in East Asia and South Asia through a mission organization.