Just a quick word to say that
these “God Spot” notes are to be shared with Christians. My hope is that they
encourage, challenge and, with the humble possibility, inspire. More than that,
I hope that they encourage thought and discussion. I don’t expect that those
who are not Christians to understand or respond to these notes, but they are
most welcome to read them. These notes are an extension of my desire to
practice my writing, so please do feel free to add constructive criticism, but
please also be kind. I don’t get to do a lot of creative or structured writing
in my line of work.
A couple of days ago, from a student for
whom I have invested a fair amount time in extra tuition, I received the kind
of amazingly touching and heartfelt thank you note that every teacher dreams
of. In it she expresses, not just a transformation in her attitude to my
subject and enjoyment of my lessons, but realisation of life changing lessons.
This is what makes the long hours, the overbearing and demanding parents, the students’
rudeness, stubbornness and ingratitude all fade into the background; it makes
it all worthwhile.
My first instinct was to post the
letter (minus the name) on Facebook, run round and show all my colleagues, frame
it and put in next to my desk so that everyone could see; in effect to show off
to the world what a great teacher I am (and I am aware that in writing this, I
fall foul of the same dangers).
PRIDE! The great deceit!
I have learnt, through harsh lessons,
that it only brings pain.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the
sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the
surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have
lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be
found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and
is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and
the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death and
so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:8-11
Should I consider
this letter rubbish?
A few years ago I
learnt the danger and folly of making professionalism and pride in my work an
idol, but we are still told to work for the Lord.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men"
Whilst I take joy that I can help this hard working student (I am wary not to say “well deserved”
for as Christians we know that we deserve nothing) to enjoy the beauty of God’s
ordered universe (as we mathematicians understand that we just have a small
glimpse of that which is divine), but I am saddened that it is meaningless if
she cannot enjoy it in eternity.
The life lesson
learnt is even worse! She has learnt that by small regular steps, by hard work
and perseverance, no obstacle is too great. As Christians, the truth we know is
that until we admit that we are weak and helpless, until we humble ourselves to
admit that we can do nothing to earn our salvation, we cannot accept the love
and salvation God has to offer. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation or
God’s love. That is not an obstacle or achievement that can be gained through
hard work. How does my teaching of one complement the other more godly and
eternal lesson?
I have invited this
student to the Christian Forum before, and no doubt she has heard some of my
talk about my faith; she even showed interest in coming to a Christian Easter
revision camp when I was talking to another student about it. My job prevents
me from going any further, and it would be wrong to abuse my position as a
teacher, so what more can I do?
My conclusion is
that I can do no more. In fact, I should have known that I could do nothing in
the first place. It is all God. It is always God. I have resolved to pray.
Perhaps when she
leaves, I will remain in contact with her (as I have done with a few
ex-students) and the opportunity to share my faith will arise then. Even then,
my role as former teacher will make that line difficult to cross.
With God and prayer
there is always hope, but I am left confused.
These are the
questions:
What joy should I
take from this note?
What life lessons
should I be teaching students, if not that with hard work and perseverance,
they can achieve great things?
Those who know me
will know that I will not be a “Ned Flanders”, to flagellate myself over some tiny
self-perceived sin. I put the questions to you and move on. Knowing God is pure
joy, but any of the blessings we share with the lost must be bittersweet.
P.S. I am being
extremely careful of the real possibility that she might have a little
infatuation.
