As a teacher, I wanted to make a kingdom difference at my school. Nothing I did, however, went anywhere. My students had fun and they learned well, but how could I reach my colleagues and my students with the good news of the gospel? Why did all of my efforts “go south”?

Then one day, our Union announced a strike. Because it was going to be an illegal strike, I went home and prayed about what to do. That’s when I learned what the Bible says: “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.” (2 Chron 31:20, NIV); and “And as for you brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” (2 Thess 3:13, NIV). I knew in my heart, then, that I couldn’t strike.

The next day I went to see my principal and I shared why I couldn’t strike. He spent some time thinking about what I said, and then he leaped to his feet and said, “I won’t strike either!”

When the strike began, I had the daily opportunity to give my principal Bible studies. A few months later, he and his wife came to our house for Bible studies, and eventually he and his entire family came to the Lord.

On the third day of the strike, one of my grade 7 students, who attended a Baptist church, came to visit me in my classroom. “Isn’t this the right time to ask about starting a Bible Club in our school?” He asked. I was happy to agree, and given the fact that our principal was hungering for God, he also agreed that we could start a Bible Club in our school.

When I tried to witness on my own, nothing happened. Only when I waited upon my Heavenly Father did wonders begin to occur. All I did was follow what my Heavenly Father told me to do, and in just a few days’ time, several people came to know our Father. Of ourselves we will never be able to reach others. We need to let the Holy Spirit guide. He will make it possible. He is the only One who can reach anyone. (See Acts 8:26-40)

Our way doesn’t work. Only God’s Holy Spirit can make it work. He knows us intimately. What will our choice be?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Influencing the Workplace” devotional series, please click here.)