By Elizabeth Prata
I’m a public school teacher. I’ve taught elementary children for 26 years by the end of this school year. But not continuously. I started in 1983. I took a 20 year break in the middle, and resumed in 2010.
Education is very different now than it was- and so are the children. When I started, I was in an inner-city school in an impoverished, dying mill town. Despite that, children walked to school and survived (in Maine, in winter, in the snow). The parents expected them to learn and behave. Education was a stepping stone to a better life. The children tried hard, were eager for progress, and grateful for any tangible rewards.
Now, education seems to be not a stepping stone to a better life, but an obstacle to a lazy one. Many children are shockingly unconcerned about what the adults in the classroom tell them. The are present, but not absorbed. They don’t even face the 6′ screen, they play with their shoelaces or necklaces during story time, and are dismissive of homework.
We care about the children so much and mourn their sluggish attitude toward learning, wonder at their open defiance of the adults, and do our best to instill character traits that will stand them in good stead in life- or at least keep them out of jail.
I was reading Ephesians 4:14-15. Paul is speaking of maturing with the goal of attaining knowledge in maturity and a measurable stature:
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,
‘we are to grow up in all aspects’…
It occurred to me that there are so many verses which command us to grow. To train, walk, strive, persist, watch. Yes, the Spirit ultimately gives the growth, but he won’t if there is nothing we are taking in with which He will mold us. We are responsible for our learning.
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
As I survey the landscape of classrooms I pray that churches do not become like them. I pray that I myself do not become lazy or dismissive of the opportunity to learn more about God. Let’s always be eager for learning, pursue growth, be grateful for tangible rewards and not just ‘stuff’, like an expositing, solid pastor, your children, salvations, etc.
Don’t let church be an obstacle to an unconcerned, lazy life. No coasting allowed! How to do this? Here are some tips:
Read: and study the Bible regularly for spiritual food, daily if possible. We don’t always have time to delve deeply in a big study, but make sure your eyes are on His word frequently enough that the Spirit has something to work with. He won’t illuminate a dark room (brain) Add some light in there.
Pray: to God daily. Lay out your fears, needs, praises, petitions. He IS there. He will never forsake you. He listens, He is El Roi who sees. Ask Hagar, alone in the wilderness but God heard her plaintive plea. Develop your relationship with Him just as you do with your children, friends, colleagues through the Word and prayer.
Obey: to practice what God’s Word says. Piano players practice. Football players practice. Firemen practice. Of course Christians should put into practice when is gleaned from His word. Be doers, not hearers only. (James 1:22).
Fellowship: with other believers for friendship rooted and united in Christ, accountability, and love. We are one body.
Endure trials: with grace and patience, displaying to others and yourself the peace that passeth all understanding. (Philippians 4:7).
When I get home from school each day I review the day in my mind. What I could do better, what went right, how were the kids? Thinking on these things has sparked my thoughts to the same direction of church, which is MY education each week, and the Bible reading which is my education each day. I do not want to be shockingly apathetic, nor slide into an inattention that allows me to drift away, as Hebrews 2:1 warns. As I age, the verse that warns me not to become weary in the well doing comes to mind more often, lol. In due time, we will reap. In due time.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:8-10).
