Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him....... (Luke 24:31 NLT)
They looked at me like I was from the
Moon. Have you ever tried to communicate something to a child or a
student, or even an adult, and you get that blank look? The expression, which
said, what language are you speaking?
God truths are not always meant to be understood the moment they are
spoken.
I was a public school teacher. I had a third-period study hall where I would
brew a cup of coffee to enjoy while the students studied. The students would
often comment how they loved the aroma of the brewing coffee. One day we got a memorandum from the school
Principal. The memo stated that
individual coffeemakers were no longer permitted in the classroom due to safety
and cost issues. I, maybe a little grudgingly, complied with the request. Shortly afterward, a student came into the
room and commented, “Mr. Barnes, why did you stop making coffee?” My reply was, “the coffee police got
me.” I went on to explain the memo from
our Principal. The student quickly
responded, “That’s OK Mr. Barnes, we won’t tell.
I knew that I had a teachable
moment. I waited until the rest of the
class arrived and then initiated a discussion about the absent coffeemaker. I told students that it was not about getting
caught; it was about doing the right thing.
Yes, our Principal would probably never come to my classroom to check
for contraband, but I would know that I had done the wrong thing. The students looked at me like I was from the
backside of the Moon. The expressions on
their faces spoke volumes. If you don’t
get caught what is the difference? I
then asked them a question that furthered puzzled them. I said; if I am not willing to follow the
rules that our Principal gives to me, why should you be expected to adhere to
my classroom guidelines? At this point I
got that blank stare that communicated; what is he trying to say? I knew that I was not getting any further
with these students at this time and date.
One day in the future, I believe, some
of these students will find themselves in a situation that involves submission
and authority and doing the right thing. God will upload this incident from
study hall out of their spiritual memory band.
A light will come on in their minds, and they will say, “That is what
old Mr. Barnes meant that day.”
Information does not change us, but revelation does. God waits for his teachable moment when our
hearts are ready, and the Holy Spirit quickens the information we already
have. It opens our spiritual eyes to
comprehend revealed truth.
Many of the things the Lord told his
disciples before his death, were only made known to them in their fullness
after his resurrection. A case in point,
being our scriptural reference, revealed to them on the road to Emmaus. In
verse 32 the disciples said, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked
with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” The Word of God always accomplishes its purpose
(Isaiah
55: 11), head knowledge becoming heart revelation. Be encouraged dear
parents, teachers, or just concerned friends, in due season you will see the
fruit of your efforts. One day the students
in my story may realize what F.B. Meyer once said is true, “Do right because it
is right to do right.”
Image used with permission by Google.
Ken
Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places” YWAM Publishing
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/
Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com
