As a teacher, I get it...

As a teacher,
I spend hours each week
preparing a learning space for my students,
whether they fully appreciate it or not.

Jesus created a glorious universe,
the way of salvation for sinful man,
and is now preparing mansions in glory
for his children, whether they fully appreciate it or not.

As a teacher,
I have expectations
for the behavior of my students. 
The expectations are for their good
and are written with their weaknesses in mind.
Many students don’t appreciate or follow these rules.

God has expectations
for the good of his children, too. 
Often, these expectations are not appreciated or followed..

As a teacher,
my authority over my students should be respected,
but often isn’t.

As King of Kings,
Lord of Lords, and the creator of the universe
including you and me,
God’s authority over us should be respected,
but often isn’t.

As a teacher,
I know exams are coming
and what we do now is important. 
My students are more focused on other things.

One day,
God will evaluate the words, deeds, thoughts
and motivations of every person with eternal consequences,
yet that is rarely considered.

As a teacher,
I want to ignite curiosity in my students 
so they seek after knowledge and understanding
to become wise, productive, caring people. 
Many of my students only devote whatever time and effort
is necessary to get by with a passing grade,
or think any effort at all deserves an “A”.

God has given His children
the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures so that
they might know Him and be conformed to His image;
yet the Bible sits on the shelf unopened and 
devotions and worship are seen as a duty instead of
a glorious opportunity. 
His people spend five minutes a day with Him
then check it off their to do list.

As a teacher,
I know that I have a 180-day window
of opportunity ​to reach my students
so I teach, knowing time is short.

God also knows that time is short. 
Your life could end at any moment or Jesus could return
for His church and you be left behind. 
 If you know Him, He wants you to live for Him
​and love Him with all your heart. 
If you are reading this, He is trying to reach you.

As a teacher, I get it.