The Reaction - 1/8/2008

I posted earlier about feeling led to give a copy of Max Lucado's Traveling Light to a coworker, even though I would risk the offense of proselytizing in a secular work environment.

I did it anyway, and boy am I glad I did. God was so clearly trying to speak to and comfort this woman through this book! How many times have I let Him down by not following through with a request? How many people haven't been touched by His love because I resisted being His hands and feet? I shudder to think about it...

As I went to check my mailbox today, the woman to whom I had given the book shouted, "Stop! I want to talk to you." My first reaction was to think that this could just as easily be very good as it could be very bad. She got up and walked toward me, beginning to thank me for the gift and then gave me the tightest hug while saying, "You have no idea how much that meant to me." I tried telling her that it wasn't my idea, but God's - but I didn't get that far. And I didn't need to say so, God's actions speak for themselves. She reiterated, "Really, you have no idea what that meant."

She explained to me that she and her family are all believers, and that as her mother lay dying in the hospital, they took turns reading to her from her favorite books by her favorite author - Max Lucado. Though, she had never heard of this particular book. Then, at the funeral, her son got up to read his grandmother's favorite verse for her one last time, Psalm 23.

The full title of the book I gave her is: Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Meant To Bear (The Promise of Psalm 23) by Max Lucado. She was overcome, I think from knowing that God's presence was with her, and knowing that her mom was in God's presence. She's going to have her son read the book as soon as she's finished with it...

How could I have known this author and this Psalm meant so much to this woman and her family? There's no way! How could I have known that this was the perfect thing to give her during her time of mourning? I couldn't have!
Who else but God could have orchestrated this?
Who else but God? Seriously think about it.
Who else but God!

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone

And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on your throne
You are God alone

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That's what you are

He loves us dearly and is constantly reaching out to us. The way His law works in this age, though, is to enact His will through men and not against their will. How many more people could we touch and reach for Him if we were always obedient? Since He wishes that nobody would perish but that all would experience eternal life, I'm guessing all of them ...

I praise you, Father, for your mercy and comfort in a fallen, imperfect world. Thank you for working with us, for your patience, and your grace during our subbornness. Thank you for your love and for your sacrifice, so that the sting of death will only be a temporary pinprick before the eternal glory of your holy presence.

Authority - 1/8/2008

Romans 13:1, "All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God."

This morning, God reminded me that people who have authority are in such a position because He put them there. What they do in that position, of course, is up to them and many people throughout history will have to have an uncomfortable talk with God about how they abused that authority. But, the fact is, as Christians we are to submit to the authority in our lives; to God's authority and the law of the land. Rebelling against that authority is said in this chapter of Romans to be equal to rebellion against God Himself; against the laws and leadership He has established.

I believe this applies to the workplace as well, and that's why I feel like God used this verse to talk to me this morning about my attitude at work. Our bossess and employers hold positions of authority in our lives, and I see no reason not to think God would have also established them in those positions...

Yesterday I learned that I will have to move my 6th period class to another room every day - an incredible inconvenience that will throw off my routine for that period. As I allowed this information to stew in my mind, I continued to add resentment to the broth, turned up the heat, and let it simmer. I felt the administration should sample my bitter stew - to at least hear how this schedule will affect my daily life, even if it is only for one semester, even if voicing my disapproval will bring about no changes to the schedule. I don't care that they don't have options, this makes things harder for ME!

That's when God put me in check. I read this verse, and through it He reminded me that as a Christian I am to be recognized as somebody who respects authority - both earthly and divine. If I am asked to do something inconvenient at work, it is my job to do it. After all, I'm getting paid to.

Even as I was reading this verse though, I felt slighted by the administration's decision. I took it personally, even though it wasn't a personal attack. I thought to myself, "Why don't I just find a job at a school that has room for me and will make me feel welcome? I'm a good teacher. I take my job seriously. Any other school would be glad to have me." Dangerous, prideful thinking. I immediately glanced up, and verse 16 of chapter 12 read itself to me, "...do not think how smart you are."

Oops. Okay, already! I'll be good. Which, as it says here in the Bible, is how you defeat evil. Romans 12:21, "Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good."

Thank you, Jesus, for the gentle reminder this morning. Thank you for speaking to me through your word. Thank you for keeping me on track and reminding me of my job as a teacher and as a Christian.