LEAven Blog

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach. He has taught me what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student (Isaiah 50:4).

Okay, so the Lord God didn’t give me the ability to handle diacritical symbols typed properly or how to pronounce the words that may or may not be reproducible by the platform that’s sending it. And I’m a bit leery of listening like one of my students. Besides, I fumble when I try to sound more sophisticated or fancy than I am. So, let’s change the title to something less French. How about Your Reason for Being?

What is your reason for serving God in your profession?

1. It’s not a profession. It’s a ministry. My God-given ministry.
2. I didn’t know I was serving God. I just need a job. And it’s easy work.
3. I never wanted to be a teacher or any kind of church worker. It just happened.
4. It runs in the family.
5. I wasn’t doing anything else, so I thought this might be fun.
6. I’m in it for the money.
7. Go back and reread the text.

Each of the first six reasons above has some degree of validity, legitimacy—if not honesty—or reasons to escape your ministry while you’re still able. But you are no accident. You are a Lutheran school educator, no matter what the reason. God has a reason and made it happen—or perhaps you’re one of His works in progress. You are to teach and proclaim the risen Christ, your Savior and your students’ Savior. Absolutely nothing can stand in God’s way. He doesn’t need your approval to do what He wants you to do. But of course, you can refuse. But geography and science get boring without Him.

God has given you the tools you need to build your ministry. Even if your theological training was not at a Concordia—or any place like it, you still have all of Scripture to fuel your current efforts and continue growth. Bible study, both corporate and private, will help your faith and commitment to grow. Attend church. Go to Bible class—or volunteer to teach one. Lead (which includes following—think about it).

Of course, you must be patient. Sometimes growth comes slowly—just like that fourth grader who can’t seem to handle long division until eighth grade. Teachers, regardless of age, must fight the many challenges that threaten to make them unhappy enough in their ministry to seriously search for something else to do. In fact, your difficult times in teaching may well outnumber the good times. But Jesus knows about that. He went through it Himself. He even tried to get removed from His responsibilities on that dark and lonely night that He spent in a prayer garden.

Following Jesus’ example, there was no easy or good way out. He did what God wanted Him to do. His Holy Week example, ending in victory over sin and Satan, is what makes it possible for you to teach the one true faith—regardless of your title. Jesus made your reason for being His reason for pushing, tugging, or joyously accepting the challenge of telling students how much Jesus loves them. How much He wants them to serve Him. And, in your case, how important it is to know that you’re not just doing a job. You are doing a ministry! With happy moments. It’s your reason for being.

If you have doubts, try this activity. Ask a veteran teacher to share their happiest moment in ministry. That question may take them back a bit because, frankly, veteran teachers sometimes forget that they have a ministry.

BTW… Some people should not be teachers. Maybe that’s true for a few of the reasons mentioned above. It’s okay. God provides many ways to serve Him. And to help you grow a godly vocation.