In The Classroom

Being the Light

August 23, 2020 /

What a week! For many, school started back this week. Teachers and students with google meets galore. For my school, this was a preliminary week for students to meet the teacher (virtually), come get a device if they needed one, and manipulates for long term virtual teaching. Needless to say it’s been a busy week for all of us.

My school’s theme this year is “Being the Light”. As a christian as well as being in the mist of uncertain times, I really took that to heart. However, my actions and attitude throughout this week spoke of nothing but the opposite of being a light. Let me tell you a little bit of my sinful struggle.

The Over-Pleaser

Confession time. I am a people pleaser. It has been a deep rooted sin in my life for as long as I can remember. This fleshly side of me especially comes out when I meet new people and when those people will work closely with me. I want them to like me and I want to be a good witness to them. WELL, beginning the new school year with a brand new team, principal, students, you can guess what happened. I wanted them to like me. I wanted to fit in. I would answer questions half-jokingly and half-trying to think how they would respond. I was honest but often put my foot in my mouth.

Words are also hard for me. When I am nervous and when I care to much about what other people think, words just plop out. I think about that and then I am reminded of Jesus when He is being interrogated right before going to the cross.

62 “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 Jesus replied, “’You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand[i] and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Matthew 26:62-64 NLT (with emphasis)

What I see here, is Jesus after being betrayed, captured, mocked, spit at, beaten up, and placed before a council in the middle of the night (which, by the way they were doing in secret), remained silent. He remained silent until the high priest spoke His Holy Name. The words that really caught my attention in the midst of my word plopping is that He remained silent even as they were accusing him of blasphemy. Would you have remained as still and quiet as Jesus?

On the other hand, instead of being still, quiet, and waiting on the right time to speak, I am a Peter. During the Transfiguration, Peter is with James and John and they were going to see an amazing sight.

32 “Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “’Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials[f]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” 34 But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.” Luke 9:32-34 NLT (with emphasis)

Peter stuck his foot in his mouth. In this way, let’s not be a Peter.

Center Spotlight

On Monday, I felt I was getting myself together. Almost ahead of schedule on Tuesday and I was full of pride. Then SLAM! I was hit with a curve ball when I was told I had more stuff to prep for pick up. (Pride has a way of sitting us down.) Then comes Tuesday evening and I was told we would not be able to come to school due to a deep clean in the building the next day. I had left all of MY stuff I needed to do, in the building, thinking I would be right back the very next day. I went into overwhelmed mode and began to really stress. I texted my team and showed panic. I went in to Walmart stunned and kind of in a shut down attitude as to not cry in the middle of isle 5. These are not the things that need crying over, I know. However, that Light I was suppose to be, I was directing at myself. I was thinking all about me, me, me. I was thinking how this delay in getting stuff ready would effect me, not the kids. I was being negative about it with my teammates instead of staying calm for them. I was not being a light to my team. I was just standing at center spotlight.

Okay, why does this matter to me?

You might be thinking, it’s great you realized you are a selfish person and need to get it together but why should I care about your day?

The reason I chose to write about being a light to my teammates is because I felt and still kind of feel like I have wasted my chance to be a light. My complaining, negative attitude placed a sore reputation in the minds of my teammates about me. I felt like my chance was gone and trying to get it back was only people pleasing. In the middle of a store today, I began to explain this slightly to my husband. I realized I had to let it go.

I want to encourage you. It’s never, ever to late to be the light for someone. I am still learning this myself. I am not perfect. I can be dramatic. I will mess up. I am still learning how to be a light too.

No, its never to late! If you haven’t noticed, we live in an uncertain world with dark and twisted people. People are hurting, lost, and broken. We all could use some light. We can follow Jesus’ lead:

12 “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “’I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”’ John 8:12

14 “’You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”‘ Matthew 5:14-16

Not our own strength

We are to follow Jesus example. We are to stand out from the crowd and the darkness to shine so others may see Him. God gave us a light by His Holy Spirit to shine out to others through our good deeds. I am terribly bad for relying on myself to fix a problem with what I did. When I put my foot in my mouth, I try by myself to get it out and end up falling on my face. Had I only leaned on God and followed His example, would I not have had my foot there in the first place.

So as you interact with your family, colleges, classmates, neighbors, fellow grocery shopper, remember Jesus and follow His example of being a light. Live to serve others, love others, and gracefully forgive others. Remember to forgive yourself when you are human. Lean on God’s sweet sweet grace.

How to be a light:

Here are some questions to get you thinking about how to be a light in your little piece of this dark world we are just visiting in.

  1. How has your attitude been?
  2. What has been your inspiration or your role model recently? The world or Jesus?
  3. Are you being a Peter?
  4. Are you joyful about how God has blessed you?
  5. When others are sad or upset, how do you respond?
  6. How can your actions and attitude turn other’s eyes toward Jesus?

I pray this post lets you know you are not alone in the ups and downs of life. I pray it encourages you that you can always be a light.

–LOVE, Amber