THE LORD GOES WITH YOU: A Back-to-School Encouragement for Educators

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Many of you are experiencing the excitement of starting another school year - spending time in the classroom, decorating bulletin boards, arranging desks, and anxiously waiting for students to arrive. For me, August will mark the beginning of the first school year since I was five years old that I won't be returning to school. I have spent many years in classrooms, both as a student and a teacher, enjoying the learning process. Over the past eighteen years, my focus shifted; I appreciated working as an administrator, supporting teachers and students. Although this brought new challenges, it was no less exciting and rewarding. This past May my world changed when I retired after thirty-three years in education. 

One verse I have grown to love during my time as an educator is Joshua 1:9. It reminds us that the Lord will be with us wherever we go. We are called to be courageous and not fear or be discouraged. He promises to be there as we face life's challenges. As Christians, most of us rely on Him to guide us in many areas of our lives—our relationships, our children, and even our travels. So why do we often reject His guidance as teachers? What makes us tell Him we can do this on our own? Despite what the world tries to make us believe, the Lord doesn’t stop at the schoolhouse doors and say, “Have a good day. I will be here when you are done.”

I became a Christian the same year I started my first teaching job. As a new Christian, it was a time of growth in my life, learning to trust in His direction and guidance. I was eager to learn as much as I could about being a “good” believer. I attended church, read the Bible, and even wore the Christ is Life T-shirts that showed everyone my stance. However, through all of this, I neglected one thing: to accept that Christ would be with me. I often think back and ponder what my career would have been like if I had just given each day over to Him. How many trials did I go through when I could have allowed Him to direct my path around or through them?

As many of you begin a new school year, I encourage you to make this verse your focus. Invite the Lord to go with you, and surrender the fear and discouragement you face during the year. We all encounter trials as educators, but how we handle them is what truly matters. 

Begin each day in your classroom or office by asking the Lord to be with you and to give you the strength and wisdom you need. Pray that the Lord will be there for those around you whom you will encounter as you go through your day. Prepare your heart to allow Him to guide you in what this looks like, but let Him walk alongside you. I want to remind you that even though it may not always seem so (e.g., on the days we face upset parents or misbehaving students), we are not going through these experiences alone. 

God’s will may not always be what we expect; however, I assure you that the outcome is far more fulfilling than anything we could have planned ourselves. As educators, it’s easy to become absorbed in the daily routines of a school and forget our true purpose. While grading papers, conducting evaluations, and addressing behavioral issues are essential parts of our jobs, we are here for one main reason: to serve the Lord. He has placed us here to serve and glorify Him by helping others.

So, I challenge you to keep your prayer life with you at school. Take a moment each day to pause and call out to the Lord for His guidance. Most importantly, never feel alone, for the Lord your God will go with you. Keep in mind that He commands us to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged, because the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE is with you wherever you go. 

If you need encouragement, check out our new book: Taking Jesus to School – a powerful resource for educators ready to live out their faith with boldness and joy.

Questions?  info@victoriouseducator.com 

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