A Position of Influence | Lessons from James

Welcome to Real Life.  When I read this verse, I caught my breath.
 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”[1]

I’m teaching a women’s class right now.  Should I be?  It’s a serious responsibility.  A teacher holds a position of influence.  I must be careful to teach what’s true.  God will hold me accountable.

This verse speaks about the position of teacher in the church.  However in a broader sense, we’re all teachers.  We all wield influence.  You’re teaching me and I’m teaching you.  Every day, we’re learning about life from each other.  A neighbor with lupus never complains.  A friend donates a kidney to a stranger.  A son begins his day reading God's Word.  Unless you’re a hermit, you're life is affecting someone.  You are a teacher. 

What lessons is my life teaching?  Who I am, what I say, and what I do reflect what I believe at the core of my being.  That thought intimidates me a bit.  Thankfully, the next verse offers relief:
“We all stumble in many ways.”[2]

Whew!  No one’s perfect.  God doesn’t expect me to be perfect.  My continual influence should not make me paranoid and obsessive over every little thing I do.  Instead, it should – and does - fuel my desire to lean into God.  In his presence I feel loved, whole, and secure.  My soul is healed.  And when the core of my being is healthy, my actions reflect truth.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”[3]
My heart is wounded, Lord.  It’s taken some hits.  Please heal me, redeem me, and restore me.  I don’t want to teach lies from a wounded heart.  I want to reflect truth from a healthy one.  Amen.

Something to think about...
  •   What lessons is your life teaching?
  •   Not convinced of your influence.  Try this.  Flash a friendly (not creepy) smile at a stranger.  Do they smile in return?  A simple smile can bring a moment of joy to a stranger.  (Don’t be stingy with your smiles.)
  •   Listen to “Take My Life (and Let it Be)” by Chris Tomlin.  Make it your prayer.
[1] James 3:1
[2] James 3:2
[3] Proverbs 4:23
Image of teacher from: https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTmm-nDh3x4id1aqDBuFfT-eIro5QiJeXn16XEguVhf3hbUMEw0

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

Popular posts from this blog

Autumn in the Neighborhood | November 2017

Image
Welcome to Real Life . It's autumn in my neighborhood. Chilly. Dark at suppertime. Winter is on its way. Before creation naps in blankets white and grey, the leaves wave their vibrant farewell! He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Read more

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Revelation 1

Image
Welcome to  Real Life . I think I know someone. Then something happens - a crisis or joyful event - and I see that person in a whole new way. The Apostle John knew Jesus. He spent years at Jesus’ side. Then one day on the island of Patmos, John saw him in a whole new light.  John on Patmos John was one of twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He was also one of Jesus’ closest friends on earth. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, John became a leader in the early church. He wrote five books of the New Testament: the Gospel of John ; a trio of letters titled 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John ; and the book of Revelation . The Gospel of John is his narrative of Jesus’ life. In it, we learn that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God himself, the Creator of the world and everything in it, who put on flesh and came to earth to save us. [1] John wrote in order that we may believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing have eternal life. [2] In 1st John , we discover that “God is lo
Read more

In Loving Memory of My Sister!

Image
Welcome to Real Life . Like it or not, death is a part of real life. Theresa (Salva) Keeler September 8, 1957 - July 7, 2023 Theresa/Terre/Tess [1]  was my sister, my friend from the moment of my birth until her last breath. I don’t know how to live without a sister. I don’t want to learn. Yet, in the midst of my sadness, I am incredibly grateful God blessed me with a sister. In many ways, Terre and I were black and white. We did not look like sisters. We grew up sharing a room, and drove each other crazy with her messiness and my neatness. She was Miss Morning Sunshine. I crawled out of bed and growled. Bone deep, however, we were the same. Our foundation stones were cut from the same quarry. We were the daughters of Slovak immigrants who were fiercely proud of both their US citizenship and their Slovak heritage. Our father arrived on this continent in his thirties with little more than the clothes on his back. Our childhood was simple and carefree. My mother did not drive, so we walk
Read more