PIONEER DIARY
February 08, 2021
Prayer: Jesus, I want to be a pioneer in public education with you. Here is my hand. Lift me up to the seat beside You. Amen.
Scripture: Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. When I was twenty-one years old, I accepted His invitation to seek and follow Him 24-7 all the days of my life and above all else – above my family, friends, neighbors, pastors, teachers, employers, and self. As a result, I became a pioneer as well. My devotionals are the reflections of my life as a pioneer in public education for Jesus. Their purpose is to impart wisdom, vision, courage, and perseverance into the lives of fellow pioneers in education and help them carry on and expand the work for Him that has begun.
Jesus has led me for forty years in the wilderness of public education. What an adventure! He has shown me His way up, through and around hills, into valleys, and how to move mountains. He’s pulled me out when I’ve been stuck in the mud (my own and other’s sin) and quicksand (my self-righteousness and expectations). He has shown me where to homestead and bear fruit for Him. This journey took me throughout the Houston area, across the nation and across the world. Many seeds were planted. There were both small and large harvests. There have been spiritual storms, floods and droughts, yet because of Jesus and His fellow pioneers, I have not just survived, I have thrived.
There were no Jesus trails and I had no professional traveling companions when I entered public education in 1979. Like black and Hispanic children were once segregated in the school district where I worked, Jesus was segregated and kept hidden in the community church. The school district was a true spiritual wilderness void of God’s presence. His name was only written on coins and mentioned daily in the Pledge of Allegiance. Churches didn’t partner with schools. Student Bible clubs in schools were rare.
Due to the work of many pioneers over the last forty years, paths have been cut through the wilderness. Spiritual gardens and fields have been planted in the public school district where I worked. Things have changed drastically for good – for God. The majority of the schools have church partnerships. Almost all the secondary schools have Christian clubs for students. Over the last ten years there have been thirty schools in five area school districts with faculty share, care, and prayer groups with over 300 participants. This is a great start but the journey and work are not complete. As a pioneer for Jesus in public schools, a gardener, and one who has spent time in the real physical wilderness cutting trails, I know that spiritually abandoned schools and untended gardens, fields, and trails grow over with weeds quickly and are soon unfruitful and impassible.
Look! Do you see a covered wagon parked just outside your classroom? Do you see Jesus seated in the wagon looking you in the eye? He’s holding the reins in one nail-pierced hand while holding the other hand out to you. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? I invite you in Jesus’ name to get on board.
Reflection: Am I a pioneer for Jesus in education? Do I want to be?
Getting Real: Make a lifetime 24-7 commitment to follow Jesus. Let Him lift you up. Sit next to Him. Be still. Listen. Follow Him into His classroom and school.
Copyright Don Clark. Email [email protected]
Thank you for this encouraging and inspiring message. God continue to bless you and strengthen you as you touch more lives for Him and bring Him glory.
This really encouraged me today. Thank you!