Using What You Already Have

I have a subscription to the daily devotional magazine Men of Integrity. It's a great little booklet to remind me of the attributes I should be developing, and it often provides inspiration when I'm not feeling particularly pleased with the way my life is going. I don't use it every day, but I am always amazed that -- when I do use it -- God seems to be really speaking to me. Directly to me. It's as if the editors have put in a call to God and have printed the magazine just for me. I guess it's not that amazing when I stop to think that God is always speaking to me...it's just that sometimes I'm not a very good listener.

Today's message really struck a chord with me. It had to do with recognizing and using the gifts that God has given me. I know that I have the gift to teach, and I am using that gift in my profession. I also know that I have the gift of writing, which I often allow to atrophy. I know I'm supposed to write -- I just have this uncanny ability to find other things to do instead. It's the area where I know that I'm just not listening closely enough. Maybe this blog is what I'm supposed to be writing...maybe it's a book...maybe poetry...maybe...Whatever it is, I need to listen if I am to learn what it is I'm supposed to do.

For those of you who write, you know that there are some very real fears involved, most of which are related to the fear of failure. The devotional provided the following quote: "A great deal of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage." (Sydney Smith, British writer) The devotional then provided this reminder for me from Deuteronomy 33:27 -- "The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you."

When I'm feeling that familiar fear about my writing, I now have a verse and a quote to turn to in order to inspire me. Now I just need to work on that listening thing...Thanks, Men of Integrity!

Back to School

Tomorrow is our first day back to school here in Michigan, and I couldn't be happier. I love what I do. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what God made me for, and I am always thankful that I am able to serve him in this way. Teaching is a large part of who I am as a person...keeping that in its proper perspective is what I find difficult.

Jim Lange -- author, speaker, and friend of mine -- was the speaker at this Sunday's service, and he highlighted two verses that stuck with me. In Colossians 3:23, it states: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." In Psalms 46:10, however, God tells us: "Be still and know that I am God..." So which is it? Jim asserted that this apparent paradox of working hard and being still is a reminder to keep balance in our lives...keep things in their proper perspective and keep our priorities where they should be.

I'm not a Bible scholar, and it would seem that these two verses have been kind of stripped from their context here, but I think Jim hit on an important point here: God wants us to work hard, to be as productive as possible...but He doesn't want us to forget that He should be the number one priority in our lives.

I am the first to admit that I can quickly become consumed with grading, planning, researching, and all those things I do to be the best teacher I can -- often at the expense of family time and God time. Sometimes I catch myself when I get in this mode, but more often, my wife and kids catch me and correct me -- which they should. God also raps on my mental window during these times -- though he should never have to.

So my hope and prayer is that I strike the proper balance and keep the proper focus during this school year. I need to be disciplined in my devotions and prayers, committed to my wife and children, and inspiring to my students. God first, family second, students third...the three top priorities in my life.