It's Starting to Come into Focus...

I'm starting to get overwhelmed.  It's easy to understand-- in a matter of a couple weeks, school will be starting again.  That means new students, new procedures, new curriculum, new problems... the pretzel M & Ms in my bowl are dwindling even now as I think about it.

What if the students are terrible?  *munch munch munch*
Will I have enough time to get everything ready?  *munch munch munch*
Am I prepared to teach this material, and teach it well? *munch munch munch munch munch*

I'm excited for a fresh new year, new classes, new students, new procedures, new curriculum-- it's a chance to start over.  But the anxiety creeps in unwanted anyway.  And then, so aptly, as I read the Word this morning, this is what God gave me:

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." -- Colossians 1:28-29

How simple.

1.  First of all, it reminds me of my true purpose as a teacher.  Yes, I need to teach my students English.  But more importantly, I am there to 'proclaim him,' and 'admonish and teach' my students with wisdom.  That narrows it down a bit and helps me focus on what truly matters, more than a worksheet or a quiz.

2.  Secondly, it reminds me WHY I do that: to 'present everyone perfect in Christ.'  Not because of the good things they do, but because they are believers, and belong to Christ.  That's why I do it-- to make disciples of Christ.  Again, the focus is narrow and clear.

3.  Third, it encourages me to work hard and not give up or get lazy-- to 'struggle' and 'labor.'  It's also a reminder that it is not going to be easy, but that's OK because...

4.  Finally, it reminds me where my strength comes from: the Lord.  I will be struggling with 'his energy,' and not just energy from the Lord, but energy that is 'powerfully' working in me.  That's beyond encouraging.  As I start this year and follow through with this year, I will labor hard with the energy of Christ working powerfully within me.  Thank God, because he knows I simply don't have what it takes on my own.

If I can only remember these truths and keep this focus, I anticipate my best year yet.  :)  I hope this encourages all of you other "fellow laborers" out there.  Just keep the main thing the main thing.

What I Do, What I Love, and What I Love to Do...

What is the difference between your job and your hobby? When you do it? How much you get paid for it? How much you love it? How many have combined the two?

Watching a completely boring and disappointing Fame was not a complete waste. I watched people doing what they absolutely loved. They practiced, they practiced, they worked, they worked, they sweat, they sweat, they cried, and they cried... but they loved it. Their hobby became their job. And they loved it.

Here began my thought process: Hmm. I kind of wish I'd stuck with tap-dancing. Tap-dancing is so dorky that it's cool. It would be a great thing to pull out one people when they least expect it. I never practiced though. Too bad. Should've stuck with ballet too... then I wouldn't have to do Weight Watchers now, probably, because I'd be a lithe dancer... but I never practiced. Actually I think Mom has a picture of me pouting in my ballet outfit. Wow, there were a lot of things I never practiced... basketball, tennis, softball. Especially softball. I wouldn't practice at all and thought I was a terrible player... until the end of the season when I'd actually do alright-- only because I'd been forced to practice for three months. Piano-- I hated practicing piano. Probably why I can only play "Canon in D" and "Carol of the Bells." And the flute. I never made it past like, sixth chair out of ten floutists. I played for eight years, which is why I can still carry a tune, but I never practice.

I began to voice these thoughts, and my best friend's husband simply said, "You didn't love those things." He was a good teacher, but he didn't love it. He turned his life upside-down to start doing what he loves-- which meant two more years of school... but he's doing what he loves. His wife DID practice piano and became a superior pianist... because she loves it. And her hobby has somewhat become her job as she became a music teacher/worship leader/drama teacher.

Oh how my thoughts whirled. What do I love? What do I love to do so much that it never feels like practice or work?

photography
designing
drawing/artwork
decorating
baking
cooking
writing

So now what? That doesn't mean I don't love my job... but it made me think. It's not enough for me to turn my life upside-down just because I love something. My life is not my own-- it's the Lord's, and my desire is to serve him with my talents. I somehow need to find a way to meld my passions/what I love with the gifts he's given me and what he wants for me.

I'm not a risk-taker. But I'd love to put my foot through a door and have the Lord carry me across the threshold. I would love to put a God-given talent to work and love every minute of it.

And what do you love? What do you do? Do the two intersect?