The Selfless Teacher
"And work with a smile on your
face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the
orders, you're really serving God." (Eph 6:7, The Message)
It's
hard when our boss sounds like a grizzly bear. It's even more annoying
when our supervisor fusses constantly over the same thing. It's puzzling
when our manager avoids us like the plague. What's going on? In such
circumstances, how can we shine? How can we truly be joyful at work?
After all, a barking dog keeps us awake during the night and a crowing
rooster wakes us up way too early. So often we can't even sleep during
the night due to stress at work!
Sadly, that's how numerous
people view the one who gives them their paycheck.
I am no
better. I, too, struggle with bureaucracy, and way too often I forget
why I am truly here.
It's time we wake up from our stupor and realize
who our real Boss is! Who do we truly serve? Isn't our service way
beyond the demands of our work? Aren't we serving the One who placed us
here for a purpose? We may not realize as of yet just what that purpose
is supposed to be, but sooner or later, if we start performing our work
"with all of our hearts," it will become clear. In all reality "no
matter who happens to be giving orders, we're really serving God!"
Wow!
God is quite different from any of the bosses of this
world. What other boss urges us to call Him Father? What other boss
loves us enough to be willing to die on a cross to guarantee our
forgiveness as well as a glorious future? His resurrection became a
guarantee that we have someone who stands by us and not the other way
around. A boss that sacrifices himself for us is a boss that truly
deserves loyalty. And it's Him we serve, no matter who is paying our
paycheck!
"Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as
to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive
your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ."
(Col 3:23-24, NIV2)
What if our boss is pure evil? "Don't let
evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." (Rom
12:21, The Message) Such an attitude will change the atmosphere in any
workplace.
Instead of anticipating a paycheck, let us hunger for
the reward that awaits us. This will blow our minds! If God loves us so
much, we can be assured that our future will be truly glorious and
beyond our imagination!
"His master commended him: 'Good work! You
did your job well. From now on be my partner.'" (Matt 25:21)
Once we
are serving our Heavenly Father through our work, we won't be able to
stop ourselves from genuinely smiling. We have a future! Imagine that!
And a glorious future at that! We have a Heavenly Boss who truly cares
for us. We have a purpose that will invigorate us! "So whether you eat
or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (1Cor
10:31, NIV)
Just recently I noticed the following headline in a
Chinese newspaper: "There goes a selfless teacher." A teacher of a
primary school since 1979, located in the isolated, mountainous and
impoverished village of Dayadong in South China's Guangxi Zhuang
autonomous region, has made the headlines of his country. Why? For the
simple fact that he puts his students first in his life, even above his
very own interests.
The school used to have six teachers with
about seventy students. In 2009, a restructuring plan by the local
School Board transferred most of the teachers and students to a
better-equipped school in a nearby town. Some students could not afford
the move, and this very special teacher insisted he stays behind with
the remaining six first-graders and six preschoolers. Anyone would dream
to work in a fancy school, especially if there is a pay raise associated
with it. Not so with him.
This teacher does way more than just
teach children. He walks them home, cooks for them and even babysits
them. He makes an impact on these children, an impact that will last for
eternity.
How will others remember us from the time we spend at
work? Are we making a difference?
Frowning or smiling depends
solely on the condition of our heart. Circumstances can affect us, but
just like Jesus, we can rise above these!
Rob Chaffart
How Can I Find Joy in my Work?
Today's Bible Verse:
"Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord
and not for people, because you know that you will receive your
inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ." (Col
3:23-24)
How Can I Find Joy in my Work?
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