Class was in session at the school where I teach. I had many lessons to teach my Grade Three students, but God had His own lesson to teach me.
That morning I was angry, and my heart felt dark. I was furious at my brother and I knew it was wrong to hold on to my anger but I could not let it go. I told my sister I needed to pray about it as we made our way to work, but as I headed to my classroom little did I know that I was also about to enter God's classroom.
God's teaching moment
I discovered that some of my students had planned to get their peer in trouble for something he hadn't done, because they were angry with him. After a thorough investigation and a laboured back and forth series of questions I watched as these little ones broke down in shame over their plan. As I went from investigator to confidante, the Holy Spirit began to show me the issues with my own anger.
Vessel of Honour
It was ironic to me that as I spoke with these young ladies about the effects of anger and the sin of what they had done, the Holy Spirit gently (I love his tenderness) shone the light on how detrimental my black heart anger was, and challenged me to repent. His method of correction was to use me to gently rebuke and correct someone else on the same issue.
I realized in that moment how crucial it was to God that as believer I don't allow myself to wallow in my sin, because God needs me to available to spur others on to righteousness. If I am to be a vessel of honour ready for the Master's use I can't stay in the dirty sink for extended periods of time.
How frustrating is it to come home thirsty for water, to reach into your cabinet and not find a clean cup. That was the story of my college days. You scan your kitchen in desperation only to find a mountain of dirty dishes piled high in the sink. You are annoyed and frustrated. All you want is a drink of water!
I don't want to be a dirty dish that my Master can't use. I want to be ready. Even greater than that is the fact that more than I want to be used by Him, My Master wants to use me. So He cleanses me, by any means necessary, and sometimes by means that I would not have imagined.
Teach me
This is what the Lord says — Isaiah chapter 48 verse 17
Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
As I asked these weeping girls if I could pray for them, I knew I had to confess before the Lord before even praying for them. I prayed openly and honestly about my own anger and asked the Lord to forgive me. God taught me a valuable lesson, teaching me the need to forgive, answering my desire to change and allowing me to have a hands-on experience.
God can use any circumstance to teach you His ways and purify your heart, but He needs us to have willing hearts that are open to His teaching and focused on Him. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to teach my students a new lesson, or review a topic they are weak in, only to see them fiddling around with a pencil or staring blankly out the window.
If we are focused on our great Teacher and willing to listen, He will get us in His classroom and direct us in the way we should go.
Stacy-Ann Smith - is a child therapist. She is involved with youth and children's ministry and has a heart to work with young women teaching them the ways of the Lord. She serves as a board member of the Kingston and St. Andrew Foster Parent's Association.
Stacy-Ann Smith's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/stacy-ann-smith.html
