Who Cares?

I sit here about to begin the last day of the fifth week of school. What a year it has been! I was sitting at home last night (a rare luxury for this time of year) and began to think about this year. As hard as I am working, I am having twice as much fun. I love that I get to work with the students that I have. Whereas this year is a lot more hectic than last year was as far as time constraints are concerned, it is a whole lot more rewarding also.

I told myself that if this year was as bad for me personally as last year was, that I would not be back here again. I now can say that I honestly would like to teach here again next year. We are building a program that has essentially been decimated, and this year has already seen worlds of improvment. The rest of the year should be really good as well. Next year, we will be in a much better position, with the entire middle school level being students whose band experience includes the band staff that we have in place. The band program throughout the district lacks consistency all around. In fact, this year’s seniors have had seven different band directors at various times. That is hard for anyone!

As I found out in my private lessons teaching, there are two keys to developing successful students. I am convinced that neither of the elements are any more important than the other. One is good teaching. The other is showing up. A good teacher who doesn’t show up is not serving the students. A bad teacher who shows up is doing a disservice to the students. A good teacher who shows up is providing opportunities for the students to develop as learners. That’s really fun!

Enough about that…now to the important details of life.

I had one person show up to my Bible study on Monday. That was really neat. I am praying that more people will show up, but whatever the case, I am learning through obedience. By doing what I feel called by God to do, I am allowing Him to work through me. What an awesome opportunity that is! Opportunities pass us by every single day. Why do we not grab hold of them more often? Jesus said that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). So why do we so passively sit by while men and women go to hell?

I am reminded of General William Booth’s vision wherein he saw many people going about their lives on an island in the middle of a raging sea while people were drowning below. All the while, the saved men and women go about their business painint, making music, doing business, and whatever else. They are completely oblivious to the fact that the men and women around them are going to hell. How sad is that? And yet, what am I personally doing about it? What are you doing about it? Scary. Our responsibility is to present the gospel to others. We cannot save people. We are not expected to. But we have been given the truth and if we fail to so shine that light before men, then what use is our faith anyway? We are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses it flavor, Jesus said, it is only useful for being trampled under foot. Oh God! Make me worth more than the dirt on the ground! I want to be the preserving element of the world. I want to be the seasoning of the world. I want men to see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven. We are so blessed in this country, and yet we ignore the source of those blessings. Almighty God has given us everything. We overlook that and pat ourselves on the back. All the while men and women are dying and going to hell. How fair is that?

Okay, I’m at school and it’s about time for the bell to ring, so I guess that means I should go now!