WISELY WAIT, WALK AND WATCH THE WILL OF THE LORD
Prayer: Lord cause us to wisely wait on, walk in and watch for your will as we continue to be salt and light on our campuses.
Scripture: for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord ; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth ), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:8-17 NAS
As much as I enjoy springtime and love to celebrate Easter and the National Day of Prayer; I always dread the decisions that have to be made concerning what programs and jobs will be cut in the upcoming school year. Addition is so much easier than subtraction. I remember the days of getting to hire more teachers and going to conferences to present new programs and resources that would be implemented in the Fall. The past several years have been more than tough, and we hear time and time again how the closest of schools become a war zone, with friendships even coming to an end, when they feel they have to maneuver and manipulate to keep their jobs. I have seen it firsthand and it is ugly!
I would like to share a different outlook on this or any other challenge that your school might be facing in the next several weeks. Instead of looking at your situation as an attack; look at the craziness, confusion, chaos and challenges as God’s opportunity to glorify Himself. This simply becomes a chance for you to wisely wait on, walk in and watch the will of the Lord.
God loves transformation. Notice today’s Scriptures that remind all of us in Christ that we were formally darkness and now we are Light in the Lord. We must be very careful during these days not to slip back into habits of darkness, backstabbing, causing division, fighting dirty, and sneaking around to pitch one group against another. We must trust God and be the Light that exposes dark deeds. When you walk in faith, when you continue to focus on the will of God and teach your students, when your faith is steadfast and you do not resort to emotional foolishness and fight, then God shows the nonbeliever that they can have peace and strength, security and joy, in even the most unpredictable situations because He is God and He is in control. If you keep your job- wonderful, if you do not keep it – then He has something else for you and you trust that He is the One who supplies all your needs. As believers, as His ambassadors, we cannot resort to tactics of darkness and still claim to walk in faith, it is a lie!
“Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men and women but as wise, making the most of your time. In wisely waiting, walking and watching there is an opportunity to transform witnesses identification of “Who is really in charge, their information of the situation, “What’s really going on here?” Your translation as an opportunity for glory and not a personal attack, a transformation in communication as you show compassion and understanding while conducting yourselves in open, and honest discussions. These days are just opportunities for you to do His will, to walk in His ways, worthy of your calling, and be His witnesses. Take a deep breath, go ahead, all of you, take two or three. Just like way back in September, we have no idea what the future brings, but God has prepared us and the path. Walk by faith and not sight, and everything will turn out right.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]