I led a session at the annual GISA Conference this week as 1900 educators from Georgia independent schools gathered at the Atlanta International School to focus on the theme: The Three C’s – Creativity, Communication, Collaboration. Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and Drive, was the keynote speaker.
Throughout the day many teachers presented various ideas regarding one or more of the chosen categories. The title of my class was Jesus and the Three C’s. It was fun to share a few Scriptures, tell a couple of stories, and ask fellow educators their thoughts about the Master Teacher.
For the past several weeks God has been reminding me to be totally centered in Christ. It is so easy in our busy world to simply leave Jesus out of our thinking and our daily decisions. But when we center on Him, Jesus brings meaning, purpose, and hope to any situation.
The classroom was full, and a young Spanish teacher from the Atlanta International School was assigned to make sure everyone’s needs were met. I am usually very low-maintenance, so my helper simply stood by the door at the front of the class for the entire hour and listened. Afterward, she came to me and said, “That was not at all what I expected.” Later in the hall I overheard her telling other AIS teachers how much she enjoyed the discussion about Jesus.
When Jesus is the center, even those standing by take notice. Of course not everyone will follow Him – they didn’t while He walked the earth – but thoughts may be stirred and hearts may be touched. The Holy Spirit wants everyone to know that the secret to true life is found in the Son. ‘God, help us keep Jesus in the center.’
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:15-18