Living with a chronic illness, and being a teacher are giant tasks in and of themselves, but combining them, for the last six years has been the challenge of my life.
Though I only teach part-time, there have been many times, weeks, even months on end, when the task has seemed insurmountable. But I push on, and one of the driving factors is that I work at a school where I’m allowed to share my faith with my students. I’ve often said that if I saw even one student in heaven, if even one got saved as a result of my ministry, it would make all these years of struggle and fight worth it.
Last year I had a stand-out student in my Religion class. She loved coming to class and she’d hang off every word, but she was broken. On several occasions she stayed after class to ask me questions, often crying. I shared Jesus with her, over and over, but she just couldn’t seem to grasp it. I prayed for her, and bought her a Bible. Still she struggled, and at one point she ended up in hospital as a result of severe depression. Not long after that she left the school. I worried for her and I prayed for her, but it was out of my hands.
Last week I attended our school’s musical. During the interval a young lady ran up to me and hugged me. It was the girl from my Religion class the year before. She looked so happy and vibrant and she said she was doing well. I asked her what she was planning on doing next year, when she’s finished school. With shining eyes she told me that she was going to Bible College! I could have fallen over! What?
As I asked her about it, she shared what has happened over the last year; that she’s at church all the time now; that she’s found God and He’s changed her life. Then she said some things that really impacted and humbled me. She told me that she has so much love for me; that I’m her inspiration. That it was those Religion lessons and chats that led her to God. I was lost for words. After six years. Finally, a life changed for eternity.
All credit and glory goes to God. He does the saving; He gave me the strength to get through days when I had nothing and he gave me the privilege of being used for His greatest purpose. Even more, He let me know. So often we hope that lives are changed or impacted in ways that we’ll never know about, but what a privilege and blessing to actually be told. To actually have that student chase you down and tell you they’ve been wanting to get in touch with you for months. It’s rare.
So, I’ve had my one. The one who was going to make it all worth it; but you know what? It’s not enough. I was reminded of the passage in Isaiah when God says that reaching the Jews was too small a thing, He was going to save the Gentiles too. This is my conviction: I’ve been privileged to be part of a divine miracle; a soul brought from death to life, but to rest at one? It’s too small a thing. I see hundreds of teenagers every day who need Jesus, so for as long as I’m in this job, as long as God gives me strength to do it, I’ll be sharing the gospel with any who are willing to hear it.
What a beautiful story! God bless you!
Thank you!
WOW, what a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it. Xxx
You’re very welcome x
I am a product of those Christian teachers who chose to actively live out their faith, in prayer, through 1 Cor.13. They did so despite my broken and aggressive attempts to rebel, reject, hurt, and abuse them (sometimes literally so). Without them living as though they were God’s colleagues, I would currently be in a very, very different and difficult place. Speaking for those of us (especially teenagers) living-who have lived- on the other side of the tracks, who greet every morning with despair, hopelessness, fear, loss of identity, confusion, chaotic indifference caused by a broken home life and neglectful parents, all need to see, hear and experience the authenticity of Christ lived out in professionals like yourself. Keep pressing on in Christ sister, because His word of life never returns to Him devoid of life.
Thanks so much for sharing that Rob, and for your encouragement. So glad that God placed people in your life to share Jesus with you and give you some hope in what must have been a very long and rough time.
I absolutely love this Sarah! This in itself inspires me to continue to press on with my study in teaching in order to have such a potential to be involved in so many young people’s lives on a daily basis. How exciting that God uses us and in this case you! 🙂
Thank you. Yes, I certainly had teachers that had a huge impact on me. I’m sure you’ll do a great job x
That’s so awesome! May you continue to be a blessing and inspiration to many more!
Thank you Anna. By the grace of God I hope to be!
Such a beautiful story, God Bless You!
Thank you 🙂
Awesome story, and remember, your one? That may lead to hundreds more. Who knows who else you might have impacted over the years? I love happy endings. Thank you for your faithfulness!
That is very true. Thanks for the encouragement Lori. x
I missed this post and today for some reason decided to check it out. I’m glad I did. Very insperational. The angels are rejoicing in heaven over that one soul–as we all are. Thanks for sharing. It makes it all worth it doesn’t it.
Thanks Stephen. I so appreciate your faithful contribution to my blog! Yes they are. Can’t wait for all the catching up in heaven one day. All the discoveries of people who are there who we weren’t expecting to see. God is good!