Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6 NIV
As you know from a previous blog (Data Analysis Meeting with God...and Others), I am going through a major personal overhaul! It's not easy and I see great areas of concern every day, but the Master Builder and Heaven's CEO is working on me with loving hands so I won't complain.
Although Pride and Entitle- ment were given the boot and ordered not to return during my last spiritual data analysis meeting, apparently they were emailing the remaining members trying to justify themselves! Well, one thing led to another and Knowledge started to believe what Pride was saying. Hence the memo.
It's a dangerous thing when pride couples up with your knowledge. You can shift your gaze inward rather than upward.
Roman 12: 3 says, "For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]."
My memo directions were to read, prayerfully meditate on, and share that scripture as well as Zechariah 4:6 " Not by might, nor by power, but by MY Spirit says the Lord Almighty." with you!
This blog is more so to the "seasoned" educator or administrator with years of experience and those with stacks of professional development points, several degrees, certifications, and all of the latest jargon and techniques tucked firmly in their belts.
God wants us to realize this...
It's not by the might that twenty years of teaching has accrued,
Not by the might of using the good manners and workplace etiquette taught to us by our advisers and mentors,
Not by the might of what's in our college text books,
Not by the power of being an "old school" "no-nonsense" teacher,
Not by the power of who we know because of our connections made over the years,
But it is by the Spirit, the power of the Holy Spirit, working with the effectual wisdom of God ("integrity, creativity and excellence" -Bill Johnson Dreaming with God) that TRUE Kingdom activation in our schools will occur.
* What do you think that looks like?
I always say that our goal should be to be a "God" teacher, not just a "good" teacher. The difference is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working in and through the Believer versus the hard-work of the non-believer. Good things will happen in your classroom and schools. Great things will even happen, BUT Godly things will be manifested, activated and transformed only by His Spirit!
Think on what's doing well in your classroom and school. How much greater could it be if God was increasing it because it came directly from Him? Now think about what's just not working. Wouldn't it be nice to have a strategy to fix it? God wants us to shift our thinking so that we understand how much He desires to be a part of every aspect of our lives...even in our classrooms! He wants to teach us how to let Him use us to be the answer to the things that perplex our school systems.
It all happens as a result of the indwelling of His Spirit. Won't you let Him in?
Holy Spirit,
Manifest yourself today in our thoughts, hearts, mouths, bodies, actions and assignments. May we give You all the glory and honor for every success we have. Make our vision clear, our hearing keen, our hands directed and strong, our feet beautiful, our repentance deep and sincere and our love pure.
Amen
