Monday, June 02, 2008

wandering

I teach students of many ability levels. This year, I have taught a couple students whose level of intelligence is actually too low to successfully learn what I'm supposed to teach them (they were simply placed incorrectly, which is a shame). Today as I was walking the halls, I was thinking about one of these students in particular, and I wondered: I think I would feel "Lost" all day long. How would my world be different if I were literally unable to process information in the way I currently do? How would my day be different if simple things were next to impossible? If I could, I would spend a day in this kid's shoes-- experience what it's like to be unable to understand simple instructions or to comprehend a paragraph's worth of knowledge in a text book-- I would probably spend the day wanting to cry from frustration. But I would appreciate the kid's needs more fully. I would probably be a better teacher.

My thoughts have a lot of free time in the afternoons at school-- I have hall duty every other day, and it was during such hall duty that I mulled over the above questions. Then I translated the thought another degree. I can't imagine what it is like to feel intellectually "lost"-- what would it be like to be spiritually Lost; obviously a predicament with mortal significance. How would my life be different: How would my day go if every concern and worry were mine to carry by myself? If I had to plan my life without Guidance? If I received seriously bad news or was told I was unacceptable in my professional or personal life? HOW would I even be able to stand? Could I put one foot in front of the other? I definitely would NOT want to spend a day in this person's shoes.

I am a very "mental" person by nature; it is very easy for me to process such ideas on an intellectual/surface level-- as if analyzing new data in a laboratory. However, my final questions is: If I internalize my SECOND question, HOW WOULD MY LIFE BE DIFFERENT?

"Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Eph. 3:8-12

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love hij, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be confrormed to the likeness of his Son.... What shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us al things? ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'..." Rom. 8:28-39