Peace
I start student teaching in less than two weeks now. Words can’t describe all of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that run through whenever I think or speak the words “student teaching.” The vast majority of it is sheer excitement…I can’t wait to get back into the classroom and do what I LOVE. I just want to teach and spend each day with my kiddos, helping them learn as much as their little brains can take. I am overwhelmingly excited about meeting all of my kindergarteners and getting to know their precious hearts.
However, there is also a bit of anxiety that comes along with this wonderful gift called student teaching. It is going to be a large amount of work with TPAC piled on top. It also leads me into a new season of life. In 102 days, I graduate. Graduate? It’s becoming a reality faster than I think. I’ve spent a chunk of time working on my resume today and investigating more job opportunities. People are always telling me to be ready, to go to this or that workshop or career fair, that there are no teaching jobs…I hear it all. At times, it sends my anxious heart into a tailspin. All sorts of questions come and hit me straight in the face and the doubts start to come in. I can begin to doubt God’s goodness. I can doubt that He actually knows what He’s doing. I can question whether He is really in control or not.
I’m currently in a Beth Moore Bible study through my church called “Breaking Free.” In it, Beth challenges us to examine the strongholds that are placing us in captivity. The definition that we have learned for captivity is- ‘anything that hinders the abundance and effective Spirit-filled life God has planned.’ Anything. That includes fear, anxiety, worry…it’s a stronghold. And it needs to be broken. The reality is, God IS good. He DOES know what He is doing. He IS in control. Have you ever sung the song, “I’ve got peace like a river?” I grew up singing this old Sunday School tune but never really understood the concept of peace like a river until this week’s study. Think about it- a river is constantly moving. It’s not still and peaceful-its active! Peace can still be present when life twists, turns and throws various trials our way. Beth puts it like this- “To have peace like a river is to have security and tranquility of heart and mind while meeting many bumps and unexpected turns on life’s journey through change.”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” -Isaiah 9:6-7
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”says the LORD, who has compassion on you.’ -Isaiah 54:10
“Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” -John 14:27
Tonight I am thankful for His peace…the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that is not of this world, the peace that will never run out.
