But for a Moment
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." —II Corinthians 4:17–18
I was within a few feet of the top when I realized the rim of the cliff was mostly shale. The others had all made it over the edge, but I couldn’t move. Both my handholds were secure, but everything I put my feet on crumbled and clamored down into the river below. Dave looked over the edge. "I can’t get a hold to move up," I called.
Then—
He walked away.
I was left with the gray edge of rock and the blue sky. I couldn’t back down the cliff. I didn’t dare go forward. It seemed time stopped. In reality my wait was only long enough for Dave to get the other people to hold on to a tree and lock arms so that he could reach down for me and be safe if the shale gave way under him.
How often as teachers we lose heart when the things we’ve held to for stability crumble—our superb under—standing of our students, our tested methods of pedagogy, our long-lasting traditions—turn out to be shale. Satan tempts us then to search for a better understanding of our own abilities, resources, or methods. Hope, however, comes only as we understand and wait on our God.
God Has No Limits
I wept the day we had to expel three of the cheerleaders I coached. At the time I thought the girls were losing their opportunities to grow in the Lord. How I limited God. Being expelled was their opportunity to see that there were people who loved them enough to hold them accountable for wrong, that "the way of the transgressor is hard "(Proverbs 13:15). It was the beginning of their understanding of God.
God Works Through Our Influence
We look at all the worldly influences on our students and wonder how our little speck of consistency and compassion will ever show results. But mustard seeds grow. Leaven changes the shape of the entire loaf. It may not be apparent this month or this year, but our influence will advance the kingdom (Matthew 13:31–33).
God Is in Control
God knows how heartbreaking it is when our students love the world instead of attempting to turn it upside down with the gospel. Knowing us, He certainly understands how it feels to work with students whose hearts are cold, desires carnal, and vision limited
God knew what He was doing when he started us on this ascent. He knew exactly what students, parents, administrators, and co-workers we needed to conform us to the image of His son.
Waiting on God
We often have the best intentions to go deeper in our walk with God, but the intentions—and our time of devotion—often get lost in the crush of each day. When we do read our Bibles, it’s easy just to look for a tidbit to share at the start of class instead of really searching for Christ.
One way I’ve found to deepen my relationship with God is to use a journal. In it I record what special truth about Christ He reminded me of when I have my time in God’s Word. Often I use ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) or PRAY (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield) as a guide. I keep such a book handy so that I can write a sentence or two at odd moments throughout the day.
And I pray a lot. As a teacher I have no better resource than the Master Teacher. And I try to remember in stressful moments that help is never long in coming.
Esther Wilkison is a freelance writer and an educational speaker in South Carolina.