iWork4Him PowerThought

Christ-following Principals, Vice Principals, Guidance Counselors, and office staff within the public school system serve in a massive mission field. So many in their profession have been misguided and deceived to believe that God has no place in the public schools and that in fact, He does not exist. The religion taught in our public schools today is humanism – a religion as old as Noah. We celebrate those believers who venture off to their public school administrative jobs today. Take heart, you are not alone, and God has not been kicked out of the public schools because YOU ARE THERE, and He is there in YOU. Maybe you are listening today and feel called to join your brothers and sisters in this challenging mission field. Great. You are desperately needed on the mission field of the public school system. Never underestimate the power of obedience in a believer's heart to respond to God's call.

We often think of missionaries as people who have graduated from college or seminary and being sent off overseas. I define the word missionary as someone who is a follower of Jesus who has been sent into a field of people who are lost and hopeless and need to meet Jesus. The public school system is such a mission field. Our students who know and love Jesus are the missionaries sent behind enemy lines to bring Jesus to their fellow students. We celebrate these students today and pray for them because their workplace is the education place. Their workplace involves desks and learning and studying. Their mission field surrounds them in every classroom, at every lunch table, and in every gym class. Can you take time today to Encourage a local student missionary?

I know that many of you have been told that in order to serve as a missionary, you need to go overseas. No way. The mission field of the public school system is monstrous. Teachers who enter the classroom every day serve as missionaries and representatives of God at every education level in America. This mission field is under attack. And it's been under attack for over 60 years. Maybe More. There is a desperate need for more believers to set aside their comfort and become public school teachers willingly. Your faith is needed in classrooms of every type and subject. We celebrate those believers who serve as teachers in the public school system today, but we recognize they need more backup. Please consider joining the missionary team at a public school near you. The public school students in your community need to meet Jesus, and you may be their only hope.

What's the definition of a mission field? It is a place where lost and hopeless people live and work. The public school system is one massive mission field. Some incredible believers are teachers, aids, and administrators throughout the public school system, but we need more. God and the Bible have been weaseled out of every corner of our education system. But take heart: those of you serving in the mission field of the public school system are being prayed for today. Don't give up. The fields are ripe for harvest. More of you are desperately needed there to serve as teachers, aides, school board members, and administrators. So please pray for those serving in this battleground mission field and consider joining them in the fight for the souls of our public school students.

Don't hang up on God! A friend shared this insight when she realized God wants to be with her at work and all day, not just during her morning quiet time. Imagine that God is right next to you throughout the day as you sit at your desk, meet around the conference room table, deliver that presentation, or make that sales call. Scripture tells us that we are God's co-workers, and that is true in all of the work we do. Yet, we are more prone to ignore His presence. We neglect to ask for His direction, wisdom, and strength. Jesus told us that apart from Him, we can do nothing, but as we abide in Him, our lives will be fruitful (John 15:5). You'll have to be intentional. What can you do to remind yourself to turn to God throughout your day, to simply pause, pray, and obey?

Your voice matters. No matter what you've experienced or been told, your ideas, creativity, and perspectives are important contributions to your work. Unfortunately, many women have been ignored, overlooked, and had their ideas stolen by others. Someone may have assumed you are more junior than you are. As difficult and discouraging as those experiences can be, other people don't get the final say about our value or our contribution. We are God's co-workers, called to partner with Him in our work. Bring those difficult situations before God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He wants you to do and say. Pray for your co-workers and for your organization, then do the next right thing with boldness and courage. The tougher the situation, the more glory God gets. Praise Him and thank Him in advance, then watch God work on your behalf.

We all have two voices speaking to us daily—God's still, small, loving voice and the accusing, fear-ridden, loud voice of the enemy. How can you tell the difference? If it's encouraging, uplifting, life-affirming, convicting yet loving, aligned with Truth, you can be sure it is from God. If it brings fear, insecurity, anger, condemnation, or confusion, you can be sure it's from the enemy. Whose voice should you listen to? I recommend choosing God. Every. Time. We all face battles at work that make us vulnerable to a myriad of thoughts. But God gives us the victory. Whether you're facing unfair treatment, conflict, failure, or just feel stuck, turn to your Father. Pray for that difficult boss or co-worker. Pray for wisdom in that challenging circumstance. Ask God to turn your situation around for good. Listen for His direction and take obedient action. Then anticipate a miracle! Remember, God is for you!

You, dear sister, were created in God's image. Man and woman were given the same cultural mandate to fill and subdue the earth. Your talents and desire to make an impact through your work are planted in you by your Creator. Your purpose is to steward those talents for His glory by continually leaning on Him. No one else will use your talents in quite the same way you do. You will reach, impact, and connect with people who others never will. God needs every single one of us to work like He is our CEO—Chief Eternal Officer. What you do in partnership with God for His glory will have eternal impact. So today, as you tackle the mundane and struggle to climb the mountains, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and your goal to bring Him glory. Because it doesn't all depend on you—it depends on you depending on Him!

Who you are is not the sum of your past mistakes, successes, or talents. You are a daughter of the one true King, created in Christ Jesus, to do work that brings glory to God in your own unique way. Even when no one else seems to notice you, God sees everything you do to support others, contribute to the success of your organization, and share His love. God hears every prayer you whisper, cry, or scream. He is working even when you don't see it. There is nothing He allows that He won't redeem. Today, through the challenges and hard work, pause and acknowledge God's presence with you. He's right there, and He wants to give you strength, joy, peace, and rest, dear sister. All you have to do is ask. He loves you more than you could possibly know.

One day a friend of mine called me and said "Jim, I have been trying to mentor and disciple my friend for 2 years now. He is hopeless. Maybe He will listen to you." That was almost 10 years ago now. My new mentee was not a believer yet, was struggling with issues from the battlefield that impacted his marriage, and was very skeptical of church culture. For 3 years, we wrestled about faith topics in person, by phone, and by text. Finally, he surrendered his life to Jesus, which is hard for war vets to do, and then the real work began. For the next 7 years, we read and studied the Bible together, discussing family, work, faith, and parenting issues. Today he is challenging me with things about my faith. God has worked a miracle. Mentoring this young man has made a difference for eternity. Pour your Jesus Life into someone today.