When Teachers Question God: Wilderness Times in the Believing Teacher's Life

"Moses and the Burning Bush" by James J. Tissot

We question God. It's natural. Men and women of faith have been questioning God since the beginning of time. Rather than discouraging questions, God welcomes them. He even responds.

From Moses's time in the wilderness (Exodus 3) comes a discussion with the Lord about needs and fears that are close to every believer's heart. During times of wandering, these needs and fears come to the forefront.

The Christian teacher may ask some of the same big questions that Moses wrestled with when he met with God at Horeb, the Mountain of God:

"Who am I?"

• Am I called to be a teacher?
• How can I juggle my career and all my other roles?
• Which role is most important?
• What do you want me to be when I grow up?

"Why are the people I care for being treated unjustly?"

• How can I stand up to bullying in my school--from students and adults?
• How can I show compassion to the downtrodden?
• How can I exercise my First Amendment rights and inspire others to do the same?

"Do you see me, Lord? Do you hear?"

• What do you see when you look at me, Lord?
• Do you remember my frailty?
• Why is it so hard to carve out devotional time in my day?
• Are you hearing my prayers? Nothing seems to change.
• I feel like no one listens to me. Are you listening?
• The world is darkening. How can I maintain hope?
• I'm hurting. How can I find your comfort?
• I'm burnt out. Where can I find rest?

"Why am I in this wilderness?"

• Is this the place you want me to be?
• My desires are not being satisfied. Why?
• What are you trying to teach me, Lord?
• Am I willing to listen?
• Am I willing to change?

"How long will this season last?"

• I get impatient. Will you give me a glimmer of hope to keep me going?
• Am I learning patience? Am I learning the other lessons I need to learn?
• Am I drawing close to you?
• Do I believe that you have something good in mind? Do I trust you?

"Where are you leading me?"

• Am I teaching at the right district? In the right grade level or subject area?
• Is it time to look for something different? Or to rest in you right here, right now?
• Is there an area of passion that you are calling me to explore?
• Do I trust you to lead me when I don't know the destination?
• Can I remember that your timing and your purpose may look different from my expectation?
• Do I trust that you are all-wise, all-powerful, and good?

Deserts of the Heart

Right now, many of these questions are settled in my mind, but I can vividly remember times when some of them blazed in front of my eyes every day, keeping me from being effective as a teacher, wife, and mother. Having wrestled with these questions, posed them to God, and learned His will for me, I am a happier, more blessed person for having been led through the wilderness. Yes, I still struggle in my calling at times. Yes, I still have days of confusion and questioning. But I remember the lessons from the desert, and they bring me peace.

Facing the wilderness?

Sometimes we need to ask the help of another Christian friend or two or three to steer us to a place where we can ask these questions. Sometimes God will steer us there directly, by removing responsibilities, by sending obstacles, by bringing us to a desperate place so we have to look to Him.

If you're there now in that desperate place, I hope you will run to the wilderness as Moses did. Allow yourself to thirst and hunger. Wait for God to meet you. Treasure His word. Ask your questions. Believe that it has a purpose.

For further reading:
Devotional Aids for Every Christian Teacher
Teaching As Calling
Exodus Chapter 3 (Bible Gateway)
Deserts of the Heart: Finding God During the Dry Times by Pamela Reeve

A Masterpiece of Ministry (I Got Accepted to Grad School!)

I am thanking the Lord today because I just found out I've been accepted to Northwest Nazarene University's graduate school. I'll be working on my M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation over the next year or two as I continue to teach, write, and be a wife and mother to my family. Thank you so much to those who have been praying for me! This is a tangible answer to prayer. God has been richly blessing my family above and beyond what I could wish for.

The journey of "What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?" seems endless for many people today. It hasn't been easy for me to get to the place where I now find myself, confident that God is creating a masterpiece of ministry in me. Getting a master's degree will, God willing, be part of the preparation for that ministry--and also part of that ministry. Slowly the pieces of the puzzle come together and I see that each is a beautiful part of the beautiful whole. I continue to wait for God's will, but I can rest in the knowledge that He is both powerful and good, and He will bring it to pass.

I would appreciate continued prayer for God to open the way for me to begin classes soon and to cover the tuition in His perfect way and time.

Thank you again for your partnership on this journey!

Learn more about my journey in "Teaching as Calling" and "Narratives of Grace."

A Song in Heaven

I've been stressed by all of the life events that have collided upon my week: two drama play performances, changes at church, student issues, and minor health problems to name a few. The drama performances alone would be enough to stress a person out. It's so tempting during times like these to forego Bible reading, but these are just the times when we must depend completely on God.

This morning I reread a passage in Revelation that has stuck with me for a month or so.

"Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created." Revelation 4:11

This is one of many songs and choral speeches in the Revelation. When I read them, I'm at peace. My stressful week is surmountable when I look to the God whose will created all things. Like thankfulness, praise reverses anxiety.