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In Chapter 3, the life and death issue of the annihilation of the Jews arises. The second in command, Haman had accumulated great wealth and position. Haman had it all. His wealth, his subjects, his children and his enormous mansion meant nothing to him as long as the Jew named Mordecai would not bow down to him. Mordecai, Esther’s, uncle/father, refused to bow to him and stood alone in his stand. As a Jew, he knew he could bow to none other than God Himself. At great cost, Mordecai disobeyed the king’s command. This opened a door for the Haman’s outrage. Not only did he want to see Mordeaci punished, but all of his people. Haman convinced the king that ridding the kingdom of the Jewish people would be advantageous. A date for annihilation was set and the edict made law. The last line of the chapter states, “The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.” A bit outrageous, wouldn’t you say?
I have never seen or heard for anything so outrageous as the detestable hatred of Haman toward Mordecai and his people in any school, but I have definitely known teachers to have to take a stand for something they believe it against the mainstream of opinion. How do we handle ourselves as Christian educators when our beliefs are compromised or at least in question? We pray. Please don’t think that is a contrite answer. Prayer is the foundation of all our moves, all our plans and all our ways. When we pray, we are asking God to take on our burdens. We are casting our cares on Him because they are usually much bigger than us. What happens if you are asked to do something that violates your conscience or you are convicted that it is wrong? Let the Holy Spirit convict you. Be honest with your offender and deal directly with them. Avoid bringing a crowd into the issue. Our charge as Christians is to follow Matthew 18:15-17 -"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” This applies at school also. Go to the one who puts you in this compromising position first. Pray for their heart to be softened and their ears to listen. If you solve it at this step, you have not only gained a brother, you have stopped the issue from escalating and become a problem for the whole campus. If no resolution can be made, ask two or three colleagues that you trust and who will be confident to be present with you as you try to resolve the issue again with the offender. If this step doesn’t work, go to your administrator (or their administrator, if they are the problem). If it is still not solved, you may be alone in your stand like Mordecai, but it may be a critical issue that you have been purposed for. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, always acting and reacting with love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control and faithfulness. Against these there is no law.
May God give you the strength to live the life of a Christian in an increasingly secular educational system and be the Mordecai of your time.
Please read Chapter 4 for next week! Don’t be shy. You can enrich this study with your own voice in the comment section.
I have never seen or heard for anything so outrageous as the detestable hatred of Haman toward Mordecai and his people in any school, but I have definitely known teachers to have to take a stand for something they believe it against the mainstream of opinion. How do we handle ourselves as Christian educators when our beliefs are compromised or at least in question? We pray. Please don’t think that is a contrite answer. Prayer is the foundation of all our moves, all our plans and all our ways. When we pray, we are asking God to take on our burdens. We are casting our cares on Him because they are usually much bigger than us. What happens if you are asked to do something that violates your conscience or you are convicted that it is wrong? Let the Holy Spirit convict you. Be honest with your offender and deal directly with them. Avoid bringing a crowd into the issue. Our charge as Christians is to follow Matthew 18:15-17 -"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” This applies at school also. Go to the one who puts you in this compromising position first. Pray for their heart to be softened and their ears to listen. If you solve it at this step, you have not only gained a brother, you have stopped the issue from escalating and become a problem for the whole campus. If no resolution can be made, ask two or three colleagues that you trust and who will be confident to be present with you as you try to resolve the issue again with the offender. If this step doesn’t work, go to your administrator (or their administrator, if they are the problem). If it is still not solved, you may be alone in your stand like Mordecai, but it may be a critical issue that you have been purposed for. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, always acting and reacting with love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control and faithfulness. Against these there is no law.
May God give you the strength to live the life of a Christian in an increasingly secular educational system and be the Mordecai of your time.
Please read Chapter 4 for next week! Don’t be shy. You can enrich this study with your own voice in the comment section.
As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,
Prayerfully yours,
K
PS. Don’t forget to spread the word about the 1:16PM Prayer Movement and Around the Word in 180 Days:
• Visit, "like", and add comments the 1:16PM Facebook page and the Around the World in 180 days Facebook page.
• Follow us on Twitter for the prayer prompts @one16pray
May God bless you with success His way this 2014-2015 school year.
Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.
Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools. CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.
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