The Best Teacher
With kids going back to school, I’ve been thinking about yesteryear. I’m not one of those who look at days gone by as the best time of my life, although college was an amazing and wonderful season. But I’ve been remembering some teachers that really made an impact on me. Like Mrs. Wright, my Music teacher and choir director in junior high (that’s kind of like middle school for you millennials!). Not only did she allow and encourage me to add harmony lines to many of the songs we sang and teach them to others, she singled me out in the middle of a concert.
I remember it like it was yesterday. Between songs she addressed the audience and said something about a very special student, then turned, looked at the choir, and called out my name. A rush of adrenaline mixed with confusion swept over me. I can still see her shielding her eyes from the stage lights as she tried to find me on the risers. She then spoke words of praise highlighting me and my musical abilities. It still gives me chills. I will never forget it or her.
My high school Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Park, also comes to mind. I’ve never been good in science (or math as you may already know), but she taught in such a way that made it easy. In fact, she gave me such a good foundation that I took it in college as my science requirement. Apparently, most people choose Biology. I discovered that when everyone assumed I was a nursing major because Chemistry is only taken by those who have to!
But the best Teacher I have ever had is One I’m still learning from. We tend to rely on pastors, speakers, authors, Bible study leaders and the like to impart truth to us from the Word. But our precious Lord desires to instruct us personally. Psalm 119:99-102 says, I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. (underline mine NIV)
Those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior are inhabited by the Holy Spirit – the very author of Scripture (II Peter 1:21, II Tim 3:16-17)! Let’s stop settling for secondhand information from those we consider professionals, and cry out as David did in Psalm 25:4-5: Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV) Then be ready to receive great and unsearchable things from our Heavenly Father (Jer 33:3).
Just something I’m excited and humbled by along the way.
