Devotions for Teachers: Validation
How much do you care about praise and approval from others? I’ll start:
I care a lot. Way too much. In fact, at the risk of sounding totally unqualified to be writing devotions for teachers…I sometimes care more about what people around me think than what God thinks.
I’m trying to get better. My life goes smoother, and I feel happier, when I don’t seek validation from other people around me. Other people are fickle. The standards are always changing. God’s standards are steady are far more worthwhile.
And yet, we care so much. We care about whether or not our students like us. We get upset with low observation scores. We want staff meeting shoutouts, as annoying as they are. We want parents to speak highly of us out in the community. We’re all out here trying to be the most beloved teacher in the school, and maybe get insta-famous along the way. And Jesus modeled exactly what to do when the need for worldly validation comes calling. Let’s take a look at Mark 1:35-39 real quick.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Some context: Jesus has been traveling. He’s been preaching and performing miracles. His reputation has blown up a bit. When he arrives in a new town, there’s already a crowd waiting for him. He can hardly find a moment’s peace with all of the popularity.
So, the day after a standard day of casting out demons and healing the sick and dying (you know, casual stuff), Jesus gets up early. He goes off where he knows no one will find him, and he prayed. When Simon and the other disciples finally find him, they say what any of us would have said: “Everyone is looking for you!”
That can roughly be translated as: Dude. You’re really blowing up. We should get back out there and give the people what they want.
In 2021, some marketing guru would be all over him. There’d be a book deal in the works, and maybe some merch. Everyone would be seeing dollar signs.
But of course, Jesus is not like the rest of us. He’s not even slightly phased by the mass following. Instead, he’s all like “Yeah, cool. Let’s move on.. There’s more preaching to do.”
Uhhhh who among us would do that?? Simon said EVERYONE was looking for Jesus. This isn’t just a couple of people wondering if they can chat with Jesus real quick. These are hoards. An entire town wants another day with him, even though he already did what he came for. They want more of his presence. And instead of giving into the people, he follows the path God set out for him. Instead of basking in the glory of everyone’s praise, he thinks of the jobs he hasn’t done yet.
Nothing is going to knock him off-course, because the validation of the world doesn’t matter. God sent him on a mission, and THAT is the main thing.
The validation from the people in your life is not the main thing, friends. You’ve been called to teach, and that means you’re already great. God is looking down on you with such joy, because you chose to follow the path He set out for you. He wanted your goodness and light to shine on all of the children who come through your room. And you’re doing it. The data and emails and post-conferences can’t even hold a candle to the approval that God has already given you.
You’re worthy. You’re supposed to be here. You’re doing the Lord’s work. The world’s standards are far too low to matter.
Praying for each of you this week. Have a great week with your students!
