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With just a few days into the new school year for some and less than a month away for others, educators near and far have rolled up their sleeves and set out to prepare and download great knowledge into the minds of children of all ages.
How many of us know no matter how diligently we work, if we don’t put God first in all that we do for our students, it will only have a here and now impact instead of an eternal, lasting effect?
When you have a moment, read about the disciple Peter’s life altering encounter with Jesus in the book of John, chapter twenty-one. Peter’s encounter reflects so many of us that we have to peer into the pages for just a few moments.
Like Peter, we've recently concluded a season of ministry with our Savior and are now looking at something new. Last school year may have been filled with ups and downs, questions and answers, highs and lows and times when you knew Jesus was right beside you and others when you felt lost without Him. Peter and the other disciples had just come through much of the same and now, in chapter twenty-one, Peter decides to go back to what he's comfortable with...fishing.
The story goes to explain that while in the boat, catching nothing, Peter, and six other disciples realize that Jesus is on the beach. In his gusto for the Lord, Peter puts on his outer garments, jumps in the water and swims ashore. His buddies are left to attempt to haul in a miraculous catch of one hundred and fifty-three fish, but they are unable to because of its great magnitude. Jesus, who has already prepared fish and bread to eat, directs the disciples to bring the fish that they caught to him. Peter gets back in the boat, now closer to the shore and drags the full net ashore.
Did you get that?! This guy drags a net full of fish that six other men couldn't pull into a boat! Where did that strength come from and can I get some please?
According to the bible, I’m not the only one who wants some. Paul asks for it in Philippians 3: 8-10 when he declares that nothing can compare to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus”. He goes on to say that he wants to “know Jesus” and the “power of His resurrection” and the “fellowship of His sufferings”.
Well in order to get the strength to successfully make it through this school year, I encourage you to take after Peter and wrap yourself in an outer garment of praise and jump in feet first for Jesus!
As Paul desired, seek to “know” Jesus. Start your day, go throughout your day and end your day speaking to Him. Develop a relationship with the Father. His presence is important. Listen to the words of the Holy Spirit guiding you as you educate young minds. Then like Peter, He will endow you with great strength to do what others who place their job before their God cannot do. You will be able to declare that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”. You will educate with power because you realize and allow God to activate the Kingdom of God already dwelling within you.
Lastly, in chapter twenty-one of John, Jesus gives Peter a specific assignment. He reinstates Peter to do great things for Him; a partnership is developed. No matter what happened last year, this is a new year in Jesus. Maintain a “fellowship” with the Master teacher because He has a specific assignment just for you. Each student, each person on your grade level or department is there just for you and you for them. Opportunities for growth are endless. Jump in and take them!
Seek His presence. Wrap yourself in His praise. Be endowed with His power and develop a partnership with Him.
Have a great school year!
This post was originally shared in September of 2015. With a few sentence changes from the original post, it's still applicable today!
