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For He made Him
who knew no sin
to be sin for us,
that we might become
the
righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJ
Happy Presidents' Day, Girlfriends!
Today's holiday means a day off school and, for some, also work. For others, this Monday is like any other day on the job. For me, I have a day off both school and work because the schoolhouse has become my "workplace" once again. I recently began substitute teaching in Loudoun County Public Schools. And I now remember why I love these assignments!
First and foremost in my heart are the students I am blessed to meet. Hearing their stories, sharing their journey, and leading them through a lesson brings me joy and hopefully provides them with a renewed respect and appreciation of substitute teachers. I demand good behavior, recognizing the interruption I bring to their ordered day while also acknowledging the break I provide to the monotony of their repetitious schedule.
I also enjoy the variety as my week can go from Physics to Sculpture to Symphonic Band or from AP US History to Advanced Weight Lifting to Special Education Algebra I. Embracing the obstacles when entering a classroom without a lesson plan or the spontaneity and flexibility required when the movie will not load or the projector breaks, I arrive prepared with an open mind and a bag full of tricks and engaging alternative activities.
Substitute teaching is challenging to be certain. Kids in middle and high school love substitute teachers. "YES" is the word most often heard when a student enters the classroom and sees my face, followed by the obviously rhetorical question, "Do we have a sub today?" Smiles, jabs, and high fives inevitably freely flow about the room. In their young minds, a substitute means a free day, a break, a reprieve. In my mind, I am present as a stand-in for the real teacher, not a replica, but an attempt to maintain the flow and continuity of the educational process.
According to thesaurus.com, "substitution" is synonymous with replacement, exchange, swap, and trade. While I can replace an educator for a day, a week, or few months, I can never be that teacher exactly and identically. My words are not his/her words. My thoughts and ideas are not his/her thoughts and ideas. While possibly quite similar, my methods, insights, and actions will never be indistinguishable from the permanent teacher. And while I can encourage the students to behave orderly, work quietly, and follow directions, I cannot exempt them from punishment for their poor choices. Justice and fairness demands consequences for disruptive behavior.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33 ESV
Girlfriends, thankfully, for all humanity, the Perfect Substitute does exist. This Teacher's words and actions are interchangeable with the One who "hired" him: God, the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, and He works in the classroom of human existence. We can all fist pump and holler, "YES" when we discover His Presence in our day. His job is not only to educate us but more importantly to redeem our souls. He actually comes to disrupt our schedule and show us a new way, a better way, the ONLY way to eternal life. Jesus wants a relationship with you, desires to hear your story, and longs to lead you through life's journey in a way no earthly soul can guide. He is fully equipped, trained, and perfectly prepared to carry you through any situation. He holds the precise and flawless lesson plan for life.
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. John 14:10-11
An interesting twist to this situation is that this Teacher is also a Substitute, for you--for me--for each and every disobedient, wayward, sinful student who deserves detention and even expulsion. Every human pupil should face harsh discipline for failure to comply and attain the perfection of God. None, not even the honor student, is exempt. "...For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23
Ladies, Jesus is my all-time favorite Substitute Teacher and can be yours too. No other leads me like He does while also taking my just and due punishment, wiping my record clean. I know my errors. I confess them to Him daily and ask His forgiveness. I am accountable to Him and to the Father for my ways. I seek to follow His directions, complete my assignments and assist my classmates along the way. I know I will enter Heaven with a perfect 4.0 gpa and zero punishable infractions on my transcript because I believe in Him and acknowledge His redemptive blood shed for me on a cross. My prayer for you is to ask Jesus into your life, into your heart, that we may stand shoulder to shoulder on that graduation day and walk through the gates together and into the arms of our loving, patient, forgiving Teacher!
So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:1-2 GNT
Girlfriends, while this analogy I have written today is not perfect for relating God's redemptive work, I pray you will ask God to reveal Himself to you in a way that you can understand so that you too may believe and be saved!
My love to all!
