Long hours. Overwhelming amounts of stress. Fear of burning out. Exhausting tensions and strained relationships—sometimes with coworkers and sometimes with parents. Feeling the weight of responsibility for students to achieve in the pressures of academic settings and experiencing crushing guilt if they don’t. Doubts in one’s ability and the self-critical comparison to other teachers. Debilitating thoughts like “Do I really want to be doing this? I don’t seem to be making any difference at all.”
Christian teachers might experience some or all of these things throughout their careers. And yet there are bright moments as well—those incredible, undeserved “Thank you, God” moments that seem to come right when the oppressive weight of all the burdens and stresses of the vocation becomes too heavy to bear.
Those moments are found in gentle reminders of why the work is being done and for whom it’s being done. Those moments are heard in much-needed encouragement to stand firm and keep going because the work—the precious, vital work—is never in vain.
After all, with their words and actions, teachers get to reflect Christ’s love to so many people who desperately need firmly grounded Christian role models in their lives: young children growing up, teenagers and young adults in their formative years, parents, grandparents, coworkers, faculty, staff—the list goes on and on. There are opportunities to be found in every interaction.
But teachers don’t always reflect Christ’s love. They don’t make the most of every opportunity. No one ever does. Some days, it’s relatively easy. On other days, it’s incredibly difficult. It can even feel downright impossible.
And yet as you know, dear Christian, God’s grace and forgiveness motivate us to live each day anew for him. The comfort and joy in doing the God-given work set before us—whatever it is—is that it isn’t done in vain.
Whether easy or difficult, whether it brings success or failure, joy or sorrow, stress or peace, or whatever else, the work we do as Christians—living as God’s children and reflecting Jesus’ love to others in our vocations—is not in vain. It’s not.
The work is done for our Savior, Jesus. He has done all things for us. He has washed away all our wrongdoings and failures. He has covered us with his perfect righteousness.
Dear Christian, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s a chance to show educators how thankful we are for them and all their work. More specifically, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to show our appreciation and support to the educators in our congregations—whether they work in a private or public school system.
In whatever way you choose to show appreciation to your brothers and sisters in Christ for their work—whether as a gift, a card, or a thoughtful word—don’t miss the opportunity to share Christ’s love with them.
Comfort them when they grow weary (especially as the current school year winds to a close!), and help them back up when they falter. Encourage them with your prayers. Remind them that the work they get to do is not in vain—all because of Jesus and what he has done.
Looking for last-minute gift ideas? An e-gift card from Northwestern Publishing House is a great way to get educators connected with Christ-centered resources!
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.