FIRED
October 01, 2020
Prayer: Lord, I ask You to comfort teachers receiving bad news today. May they know that You are in this thing and have good plans for them. May they remember to hope in You as they walk through this fiery trial.
Scripture: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. I Peter 4:12-13 NLT
Jackie taught the Goths. She was a dedicated Christian and sincerely wanted her life to count for Christ. In some school systems, she would still be teaching, and would be respected for her hard work, her loving attitudes and her sterling character. But not here. This was a school where there were covens, and tarot cards, and pervasive witchcraft. Once she had innocently mentioned the Ten Commandments to a student, and shared a Christian book with a fellow faculty member, she had sealed her fate.
From that point on, it was the singular goal of the administration in her school to be rid of her influence. She was called to hearing after hearing, in which she answered clearly and calmly. Many Christians around her supported her with attendance at the meetings, with fasting, and prayer. The persecution went on for years, until she was finally prohibited from the school buildings and put on administrative leave. Charges were invented, using feeble tales about her “poor” teaching, until the school system persuaded the judge to let her go permanently.
This isn’t the end of the story for Jackie, or for anyone who stands for Christ in such oppressive surroundings. She continues to watch for God to work powerfully in that school system as a result of her prayers and her faithfulness. Besides that, Christ assuredly has a special reward for her and for anyone who stands for Him in such a setting. He says of them: “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.”
While some educators may experience the persecution Jackie did, CEAI is pleased to inform our online devotional readers that we get word of the great freedom most educators have in regard to religious liberties and freedom of expression in the classroom. We encourage our members to look at their state school codes. Most states allow greater freedom than educators are aware of in regard to faith and work. The important thing is to uphold one another in prayer when we face trials. Remember, we are not human beings on a spiritual journey but spiritual beings on a human journey.
Copyright Shirley Wilson. Email [email protected]
That was wonderful! Especially loved this…”Remember, we are not human beings on a spiritual journey but spiritual beings on a human journey.”