Once again I was invited to lead a discussion at the Georgia Independent School Association annual meeting. What made this year’s session more fun was that I did not go alone. Taylor Davis, the athletic director at Hebron Christian Academy, joined me as co-presenter.
I’ve already gotten used to being ‘lesser known’ as I’ve joined Taylor in other school settings. Though I can’t help turning around when someone shouts, “Coach Davis!,” the cries are not for me. As we walked around King’s Ridge Christian School, it was fun to see some of the acquaintances Taylor has made in education circles over the years.
We chose as our topic: ‘Jesus and Schools in Today’s World.’ With a full classroom, I asked educators to propose what Jesus might say to us today. For an hour, men and women of different job descriptions and various levels of experience shared suggestions. Below is the incomplete list of statements we thought Jesus might offer:
- ‘Look to Me in times of hopelessness’
- ‘Do not grow weary in well doing’
- ‘Extend grace’
- ‘Help all find their identity in Me’
- ‘Community is vital’
- ‘Hold students accountable’
- ‘Hold to your faith’
- ‘Submit to My words and My ways’
- ‘Be slow to speak, swift to listen, and slow to anger’
- ‘Be honest’
- ‘Pray… remembering that with God, all things are possible’
- ‘Keep first things first’
- ‘Be still and know that I am God’
- ‘Let the little children come to Me… for such is the kingdom of heaven’
- ‘Love others the way I have loved you’
No matter what the occupation, our Master’s wisdom, power, and love is needed. Jesus longs to heal our world and bring hope to all just as He did when He came to earth many years ago. May we find our life in Him.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:1-3