Prior to my position as missions director at Hope, I was a math teacher at Valley High School for seven years. I found many parallels between today’s passage from Romans and my experiences as a teacher.
Verses 3-5 describe trials, endurance, and confidence. High school can be a grind for many students. If I had a nickel for every time a student asked, “When am I ever going to need to know this?” My answer to this question was usually something along the lines of: “The individual classes or lessons may not matter, but at the end of four years, when you walk across the graduation stage, you are showing the world you have determination and endurance.”
The rest of the passage talks about the unconditional and unearned love God shows for all of us. Every year, before the first day of school, our principal would end our last preservice meeting with his encouragement to love our students like they were our own children. Teaching is a challenge for many reasons. I, along with many of my peers, was often frustrated by the decisions made by students. Despite these frustrations, anytime a student came back for help, they would be welcomed with open arms.
In addition, while participating in the graduation ceremony, the love and pride we would feel for our students was immense. Sitting in the stands this year at my own son’s graduation, it was inspiring to watch the pride and joy on the faces of each of the families around us. It also made me think of heaven and the joy we will all feel one day when we see family and friends again after a long journey through life.
My last reminder from this passage is rather dark and fortunately not something we ever had to deal with in West Des Moines, but it has happened in so many other parts of the country. Despite the frustrations we might feel on a day-to-day basis, I know that every one of my peers would protect their students in the event of an emergency up to the point of putting the lives of their students before their own.
Reflection:
- What is an example from your life where you wanted to quit but saw the situation through to completion?
- Who is someone you have forgiven repeatedly and would continue to forgive?