What a Privilege! – Week of May 24, 2021
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
John 17:11, 17-18
ECME Devotion May 24, 2021
See series: ECME Devotions
It is a privilege to be part of our students’ preparation for eternity. Read that again…slowly. “…part of their preparation for eternity.” Wow. The Holy Spirit is using you to strengthen the faith of the youngest of believers.
Do you feel like that when you are cutting out a dozen or two paper caterpillars? What about when laminating sun shaped name tags or creating a new bulletin board to finish out the school year? Well, if you don’t feel like that during those times, just know that it’s true. He is using you.
In the verses above, as Jesus prepares to leave this earth, he is praying for God to protect his disciples.
We can pray that same prayer over our students. During this time of year, many of us will be saying goodbye to our students and watching them enter their next level of education. Our time with them is done and we pray that God has used us to prepare them, not only in their knowledge of the A,B,C’s and 1,2,3’s, but also in their faith walk with him.
In verse 17, it reads, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Sanctify means to set apart, to purify. What a prayer! Set them apart, Lord. Purify them. By what? The truth! His Word. That is why you have been teaching Bible lessons to your students all year. That is why you’ve been singing his praises with them. His truth sets them apart.
The laminating, the cutting, the preparation, the exciting times and the monotonous times. Doing your work faithfully and with a joyful heart has been a blessing to your students. He has used you to prepare them for a life that goes beyond the classroom. What a privilege.
Once this year’s group of students walk out of your classroom, soon and very soon, another group of children will enter in. The cycle will continue. The lesson plans will start over. The sensory tables will refill. And while that preparation is used to build the brain, we know the most important work is to strengthen the heart for Jesus. What a privilege we have. What a blessing to watch His lambs grow in the knowledge and love of their Savior.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, make my students one in you! Help them to hold strong to the truths that they learned this school year and be with them as they let their light shine to others. Thank you for the privilege I have to share the gospel message with them. Help me be faithful in my work and produce joyful service in your name. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Do you think your students can tell, from your attitude, that you are happy to be their teacher? Tell them! Let them know!
