Where do I start? Most people say, “The beginning”, but there is always a backstory. The how, when, what, who, where are generally the most crucial elements of a good plot from exposition to resolution. But, one element that cannot be forgotten is the why. The why is the backstory; we all have one, and this is where the real story starts. As a young child with divorced parents, life was not easy; it was always different in every way from others. At the time, I saw it as a curse, but now I know it was a blessing. The Bible declares we are “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people”(1 Peter 2:9). Growing up being raised by my grandmother was demanding, but necessary because most of who I am today is a direct result of the morals, values, and strength exhibited in my life daily.
Strength is a character trait everyone needs in this fast-paced world; the world tells us we can do or be anything we want to be, if we try and work hard enough but commitment and dedication are far from the traits that are flaunted before us in mainstream media. Success in this country often looks very different. Think about the average salary of politicians versus the average salary of police officers. Think about the average salary of singers versus the average salary of firefighters. Think about the average salary of teachers versus the average salary of ball players. This topsy-turvy world may engulf individuals, if he or she is not anchored. The worldly rhetoric speaks of improvement, causes, and opportunities; however, visuals do not coincide with real change required to shift the tide, and if one is not careful; an individual may feel like she or he is drowning.
In Lean on Me, an earlier blog article, obtaining a personal community was stressed because it is one way we gain strength of character required to endure the tidal waves of this world. One pillar of the community was Sunday School; attending classes from my youth into my adulthood served as a strong advantage for my moral character and Godly values. Sadly, the pandemic did much damage to some churches including Christian Education departments and some even wonder if this area of the church is important. Let me assure you; it is.
One foundational standard of the Sunday School curriculum, even Vacation Bible School, an extension of Christian Education, instills the Word of God as the ultimate resource needed to find true success in life; not as the world may see it but success nonetheless. When the tides of disappointment and unfairness roll in (and it will), the knowledge of the bible not only comforts, but the application of its principles guides individuals to the right direction when the path appears dark or missteps occur. Psalms 37 states, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down”. At this holiday time, the path may be dark because of the loss of loved ones, transition from one career to the next, or loss of precious material items; however, be comforted in knowing your time here is precious; do not waste it on the past. Consider the present, you have a specific purpose and that need will directly tie to another individual's destiny, and this may be learned in Sunday School.
Fiya Librarian expands this week providing professional training for aspiring Sunday School teachers and other Christian educators. The webinar’s goal is to inspire others to touch a child’s life with the Word of God, a teenager’s life with the Word of God, an adult’s life with the Word of God. Everyone everywhere still needs the truths found therein. With heightened societal ills of war between Israel and Hamas, fentanyl overdoses even at childcare centers, inmate deaths in county jails, mass shootings in public places, and book bans rising over the last few years across our nation, we need Christian Education. Christian and professional educators need all the tools available to equip their toolboxes with the ‘latest and greatest’ counter-strategies to effectively advise and comfort people.
A few weeks ago, the International Christian Education Association of the PAW hosted a teachers’ training forum and the facilitator reinforced my beliefs that our lives were created for a higher purpose, and our dutiful jobs are to find and fulfill that purpose. Scholarly information has its place and value, but we also need to learn the bible. Dr. Rosa Sailes, director of The Ezra Project, realized the importance and harmony of knowing scholarly and biblical knowledge. During this training, she point by point and scripture by scripture laid out the plan of our Creator for humankind. She articulated to approximately one hundred Christian educators the need to get in place; people need us. Accept your call; do not run from it. People are dying every day, and life is “a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away”. (James 4:14)
Since fond memories and valuable life-long Sunday School lessons benefit my current realities; we must not let a generation be washed away by the overflow of this digital age. As Christian educators, we must connect to our students in meaningful and relevant ways so that they understand and know that good communities exist in another space, too. Yes, the school house is noteworthy, but God’s house is monumental. The church needs you as a Sunday School student or teacher, the Christian college needs you as a student or a teacher, the choice is yours, but you are needed to serve people. The crest of the Christian Education Louisiana District Council of PAW proudly states, “Building Dedicated, Bible Educated Disciples of Christ”. Are you in that number? Get counted.
Your backstory may be distinctive from another’s backstory, but it is vital still. Find your spiritual community. Whether it is regular bible classes, Sunday services, even the fabulous Sunday School, or all of the above go, participate, learn and get the strength you need to be successful, not as the world may see it but happy and fulfilled in your purpose. Launch out into the deep (Luke 5:4) and rewrite your story. You may have to float, swim, rent or buy a vessel to travel, but the end of your story will have a joyful conclusion, if you are in the right location.
Lighting the way,
Fiya Librarian
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