033. Yes…Jesus Loves Me?

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Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so.

Do you believe it?

Everyday in the public school classroom, negative energy swirls like a hurricane. Friendship drama rages; relationships crash like tidal waves. Student behavior can be so stubbornly rebellious that we’re overcome with a creeping dread: “Nothing can save these kids.”

We carry this negativity with us. It’s practically unavoidable. We scowl into parent conferences, sigh through faculty meetings, and sneer during the drive home. We sag like a heavy load once we’re home. Our tattered defenses uncover thin, frail skin, and we snap at loved ones or simmer with disappointment.

Do you believe it?

Why did you start teaching in the first place? Why did you choose to throw yourself into this arena and struggle for the hearts of young people? Didn’t you have hope? Didn’t you believe that Jesus was calling you to this?

Do you believe he’s let you down?

You had other dreams, too. So many of us enter education because we want to teach WHILE we whittle away at a goal, a journey, an identity. But the grades and plans and standards and assessments all wrestled you to the ground and pinned you, and now they say, “You’ll never be caught up, you’ll never have free time.”

Do you believe them?

And when you pray, your prayers are short and bitter and filled with anxious doubt. You’ve begun to envy people in other professions with more money or square footage or boats – and you resent God for penning you up with the bad kids.

You approach your goals once every six months or so, invigorated by a motivational moment or a word of encouragement – but within two weeks, the workouts, the writing, the business planning, the research… it all disappears under piles of mail, school work, and the excrement of our busy lives.

Do you believe that Jesus really loves you?

Often, I don’t. I don’t at all.

I think Jesus wants me to be overweight and weak. I think Jesus is trying to show me up and punishing me for my sins, because I just won’t learn.

I think Jesus is fed up with me and trying to get rid of me, but just can’t shake me off his leg.

Do you believe it?

Something is wrong with us. Even if you aren’t a believer in Jesus, you’ve read this far, which tells me that the common experience of Disappointment infects us all, regardless of creed or culture. We all long for a heavenly blessing, a word from our Father that says, “I am SO proud of you.

“No matter what.“

Do you hear that?

It’s no wonder that Jesus, the Great Teacher, instructs us to have faith like little children.

Jesus loves me, this I know – For the Bible tells me so.

Does he? I mean, really?

The journey out of cynicism is a life-long one. But there is a place you can start today, right now, before you do anything else.

Believe it.

Believe that Jesus can hear you, and he is listening. And he’s not pissed at you.

Believe it.

And believe that Jesus wants to be involved in your life. In fact, the more you believe this, the more he will take control of your life and make it matter.

Do you believe Jesus wants to help you lose weight? Perhaps pray before you run, lift, or Zumba.

Do you believe Jesus wants to help you start a business? Perhaps pray before you plan, network, or create your product.

Do you believe Jesus wants to help you create something beautiful? Perhaps pray before typing, painting, or beginning your new dance.

Let him in. Let him lead. Let him create through you.

One day at a time, one moment at a time. Believe that Jesus has saved you and will never be angry at you again.

Ever.

Believe it.