Acts 16:6-9 "They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
I love to make plans and I'm pretty good at it. I love it when my plan comes together, but I get frustrated when things don't go the way I laid them out. I should know better. As a teacher, I was accustomed to making detailed lesson plans for the coming week. They looked great on Monday morning, but by Tuesday afternoon there were lots of "cross-outs", circles, and arrows. When plans intersect with people, plans change.
It's that way in my walk with God... like Paul on his second missionary journey. He and Silas had a plan to go back and visit the churches of Asia, encouraging and strengthening the Christians. They set out from Antioch, itinerary in hand, sure of where they were headed. Then the Holy Spirit intervened, and their plans went out the window. God had a bigger plan in mind: to take the Gospel to Europe.
I love Paul's response to God's change in direction. Like a good teacher, he had a "Plan B". But God nixed that one, too. What did Paul do then? He didn't fret or throw a temper tantrum; he didn't pack up and run home in frustration. He waited to hear from God, and when The Lord spoke, he immediately swung into action. God's plan became Paul's plan.
I want to be like that. I'll never stop being a planner. It's part of who I am. I am learning however, that while they organizes my thoughts and give me a sense of direction, my plans must be subject to change. I'm trying to consciously turn them over to God for a "plan check", asking for His direction and correction. Like Paul, I am learning that my plans are often short-sighted, that God has something bigger in mind.
Father, thank You for being so patient with me. It must frustrate You when I plow ahead with my agenda, despite Your attempts to adjust my course. Thank You for caring enough to intervene and "close doors" when my plan doesn't line up with Yours. Lord, please help me today to hear You and respond. I do love it when Your plan comes together! Amen.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
I love my job!
Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
I'm the principal of a Christian school (K-8) and, like most educators, our jobs can become quite a grind. I've been around long enough to observe how kids, parents, family structure, discipline, etc. have changed over the years. Quite frankly, much of the fun has gone out of being an educator. That's the tired, old part of me talking after a frustrating series of conferences, discipline issues, and phone calls.
Then there are days like today. This morning I had a 3rd grade visitor to my office. This young man has a very highly defined, very narrow sense of "fairness". When something doesn't go his way, or he is called "out" in a game, he reacts inappropriately, to say the least. That was the case today. After our session, I sent him, still a bit teary-eyed, back to class, and I asked my secretary to watch him on our security monitors to be sure he made it safely. Here's what she saw. Two 7th graders walked past my little friend and then, the larger of the two turned back to check on him. He approached the little guy, got down on one knee and talked with him. My secretary couldn't hear the conversation, but from the body language and facial expression, it must have been encouraging. The brief encounter ended with the two boys bumping knuckles and going their separate ways. That little vignette nearly brought the two of us to tears.
A little later, on my way to visit a class, I passed the kindergartners at the lunch tables. As I walked by, a little boy ran after me, anxious to get my attention. "Guess what, Mr. Brown", this 5-year-old exclaimed excitedly. "Last night I asked Jesus into my heart!" Wow! Two tear-jerkers in one day!!
That's why I do what I do. I'll let you in on a little secret. It's not the academics that get me out of bed in the morning. Yes, academics are important; after all, we're a school. But the reason I keep coming to the office is much bigger, much more important than that. We are in the business of building foundations, helping children to have something solid, eternal that will help them make wise decisions as they mature. We're in the "fruit tree planting" business. We keep planting and watering seeds of Truth, hoping someday to see the fruit of godly character, growing from an intimate relation with Jesus.
As in any vocation, there are ups and downs, good days and bad days. It's days like today that remind me why I love my job!
Dear Lord, I am so blessed to be able to share Your truth with children and young adults. Thank You for days like today when I catch a glimpse of what You are doing in their lives. Thank You for re-energizing me. Amen.
I'm the principal of a Christian school (K-8) and, like most educators, our jobs can become quite a grind. I've been around long enough to observe how kids, parents, family structure, discipline, etc. have changed over the years. Quite frankly, much of the fun has gone out of being an educator. That's the tired, old part of me talking after a frustrating series of conferences, discipline issues, and phone calls.
Then there are days like today. This morning I had a 3rd grade visitor to my office. This young man has a very highly defined, very narrow sense of "fairness". When something doesn't go his way, or he is called "out" in a game, he reacts inappropriately, to say the least. That was the case today. After our session, I sent him, still a bit teary-eyed, back to class, and I asked my secretary to watch him on our security monitors to be sure he made it safely. Here's what she saw. Two 7th graders walked past my little friend and then, the larger of the two turned back to check on him. He approached the little guy, got down on one knee and talked with him. My secretary couldn't hear the conversation, but from the body language and facial expression, it must have been encouraging. The brief encounter ended with the two boys bumping knuckles and going their separate ways. That little vignette nearly brought the two of us to tears.
A little later, on my way to visit a class, I passed the kindergartners at the lunch tables. As I walked by, a little boy ran after me, anxious to get my attention. "Guess what, Mr. Brown", this 5-year-old exclaimed excitedly. "Last night I asked Jesus into my heart!" Wow! Two tear-jerkers in one day!!
That's why I do what I do. I'll let you in on a little secret. It's not the academics that get me out of bed in the morning. Yes, academics are important; after all, we're a school. But the reason I keep coming to the office is much bigger, much more important than that. We are in the business of building foundations, helping children to have something solid, eternal that will help them make wise decisions as they mature. We're in the "fruit tree planting" business. We keep planting and watering seeds of Truth, hoping someday to see the fruit of godly character, growing from an intimate relation with Jesus.
As in any vocation, there are ups and downs, good days and bad days. It's days like today that remind me why I love my job!
Dear Lord, I am so blessed to be able to share Your truth with children and young adults. Thank You for days like today when I catch a glimpse of what You are doing in their lives. Thank You for re-energizing me. Amen.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Lessons from the Wheelhouse
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your steps."
I just returned home from a wonderful week of oceanography/marine biology experiences with our 7th graders. While crossing the channel from Catalina Island to Long Beach, I had the privilege of taking the helm of our ship, The Wilderness Explorer. Standing in the wheelhouse, I received instructions on how to safely pilot her towards port. In front of me were a variety of instruments that informed me where I was and in what direction I was headed. They also warned me of potential dangers.
So... my job was to focus on the compass and to keep the ship headed on a bearing of 31 degrees. Sounds easy enough. Not so. Although the sea was relatively calm, there was a strong current from the northwest which, along with the winds, kept pushing the ship southeast. I was constantly adjusting our course, and, unlike a Sea Doo, our ship didn't respond immediately. She came about gradually and it was easy to over-correct. I'm sure our wake showed a dramatic zig-zag pattern.
Fortunately for me, there was a GPS that illustrated our position and course. There was a lever that rotated, showing me the position of the rudder whenever I turned the wheel. It was important to keep the rudder pointing in the right direction. There was a radar screen that pictured traffic in the area, and there was a sonar readout that showed the ocean depth. Positioned right in front of me, in the center of the dashboard, was a large compass. It was my primary focal point, for it informed me of my heading, and helped me to know which direction to steer when I needed to make a course correction. In addition to paying close attention to the instruments, I had to continually scan the horizon, watching for approaching traffic.
Piloting a ship is not as easy as I thought it would be. Fortunately, an experienced helmsman was standing at my shoulder to provide instruction and encouragement. As I stood at the helm, wheel in hand, I saw a striking parallel to my walk with Jesus.
I am on a voyage to a specific destination: Heaven. The Bible is both my chart that sets the course, and the compass that informs me of my "heading". The Holy Spirit is my GPS, my sonar, and the experienced helmsman who stands at my shoulder to direct me. My fellow Travelers warn me of approaching dangers.
Though the course is set and the vessel is seaworthy, the voyage is not simple. Keeping the ship on track and avoiding danger is not an easy task. I am constantly buffeted by winds of doubt and fear, pushed off course by tides of the cares and temptations of this world. Thank God for His "navigational instruments", the constant reassuring presence of His Helmsman , and the accountability and fellowship of my fellow passengers! With God's help, I will reach my destination safely.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that You have not left me to navigate this voyage by myself. Without You, I would end up crashing on the rocks or capsizing in the waves. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for standing at my shoulder. I will keep my eyes on the course and listen carefully to your instructions. What a beautiful day for a voyage! Amen.
I just returned home from a wonderful week of oceanography/marine biology experiences with our 7th graders. While crossing the channel from Catalina Island to Long Beach, I had the privilege of taking the helm of our ship, The Wilderness Explorer. Standing in the wheelhouse, I received instructions on how to safely pilot her towards port. In front of me were a variety of instruments that informed me where I was and in what direction I was headed. They also warned me of potential dangers.
So... my job was to focus on the compass and to keep the ship headed on a bearing of 31 degrees. Sounds easy enough. Not so. Although the sea was relatively calm, there was a strong current from the northwest which, along with the winds, kept pushing the ship southeast. I was constantly adjusting our course, and, unlike a Sea Doo, our ship didn't respond immediately. She came about gradually and it was easy to over-correct. I'm sure our wake showed a dramatic zig-zag pattern.
Fortunately for me, there was a GPS that illustrated our position and course. There was a lever that rotated, showing me the position of the rudder whenever I turned the wheel. It was important to keep the rudder pointing in the right direction. There was a radar screen that pictured traffic in the area, and there was a sonar readout that showed the ocean depth. Positioned right in front of me, in the center of the dashboard, was a large compass. It was my primary focal point, for it informed me of my heading, and helped me to know which direction to steer when I needed to make a course correction. In addition to paying close attention to the instruments, I had to continually scan the horizon, watching for approaching traffic.
Piloting a ship is not as easy as I thought it would be. Fortunately, an experienced helmsman was standing at my shoulder to provide instruction and encouragement. As I stood at the helm, wheel in hand, I saw a striking parallel to my walk with Jesus.
I am on a voyage to a specific destination: Heaven. The Bible is both my chart that sets the course, and the compass that informs me of my "heading". The Holy Spirit is my GPS, my sonar, and the experienced helmsman who stands at my shoulder to direct me. My fellow Travelers warn me of approaching dangers.
Though the course is set and the vessel is seaworthy, the voyage is not simple. Keeping the ship on track and avoiding danger is not an easy task. I am constantly buffeted by winds of doubt and fear, pushed off course by tides of the cares and temptations of this world. Thank God for His "navigational instruments", the constant reassuring presence of His Helmsman , and the accountability and fellowship of my fellow passengers! With God's help, I will reach my destination safely.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that You have not left me to navigate this voyage by myself. Without You, I would end up crashing on the rocks or capsizing in the waves. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for standing at my shoulder. I will keep my eyes on the course and listen carefully to your instructions. What a beautiful day for a voyage! Amen.
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