Perhaps the biggest challenge is the repetition of each day. For primary and elementary school teachers, life is similar to the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day. Every day is the same routine, doing the same things, saying the same things and teaching the same things. For the last week, we have been reading the following book.
Douglas, our five year old and resident children's literature specialist will assist me this morning in the reading of Brown Bear, Brown Bear--What do you see? (This was a non practiced event and I have great fear not knowing what He will do when He has a microphone in his hand. He had the book 90% memorized, he messed up in a few places and sighed and put his head down. He then got the right word and kept on working through the book until he completed the task.)
Now what is the author trying to teach children in this little tale?
(Audience Answers) He is teaching about different animals. He is trying to teach about different colors. He is teaching repetition and basic words. He is also encouraging interaction between teacher and student.
When this book was written there was an intended purpose, and you all have done a great job of picking up on it.
This morning, our scripture passage speaks of purpose as well.
John 20:30-32 states for us:
The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
This certain book of scripture in many ways encapsulated the intended purpose of the entirety of the biblical Canon. We have these stories so that we can come in contact with Jesus. After the contact, then the intent is that we will Believe. After believing, then we will live empowered lives by the Spirit.
At school we spend a lot of time reinforcing positive behavior and keeping of rules. My little guy runs me around that room all morning long. He slides back to the sink and turns on the water. I get him out of that situation and start to clean up, and then in a flash he is up front in a cabinet pulling stuff out and throwing it all on the floor. I toss the water filled paper towel in the trash and run up front, and.....he runs to the back for the sink again. Now I could just make him sit in the chair beside me while I clean up, but he will never learn if I do not give him some freedom.
I have been able to get him to understand that he cannot throw things in class, except for a little cloth baby doll. The flipping and throwing of things is one of the few things that calms him down. My strong hand on his shoulder or chest is the other. Often he only needs to realize that I am there, and then he calms down and settles in to the routine. He is a little dude trapped inside himself, unable to tell others what is going on. Imagine the frustration involved in his daily routine.
Over the next several weeks, we are going to be looking at "Primary School" aspects of scripture. These are things that we know, but often forget. C.S. Lewis even spoke of preaching in this way. He said that our primary task as ministers is to remind people of the timeless truths that they have learned but forgotten.
When I was in 3rd grade, I had to learn my multiplication tables. I did great with them except for 6x4. I know, it was simple memorization--but for some reason I just could not get that one. As hard as I tried to make it that way, 6x4 was not 26.
From a spiritual standpoint, we too know the basics. We have memorized the answers, but when the hard times come and the crisis of belief sets in....often we answer 6x4 is 26. The reality is that 6x4 is 24, and that God has made promises to us that have been, are and always will be true.
What has you agitated today? Have you gotten yourself worked up by believing in your ability to solve your own problems? Are you unable to verbalize the hurt and anger that you have inside? Perhaps this morning, We need to be reminded of the gentle hand of God, on our shoulders reminding us of his presence.
The next few weeks will show us the Basics and then we will look into the more technical. One of the great things about Douglas and his reading was not that he did so well. He did a great job, and as his Father, I am proud of him. But I am most assured of the fact that when he messed up, he kept trying and finished his task.
God has a task for us, and although we often mess it up, I am sure that He is so very proud of us for persevering. I am excited about sitting on the carpet in God's classroom, and invite you to join me. By the way, don't be late...or you will need a hall pass.
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