No Matter Where You Are

I am on the countdown to working toward another school year. I am an elementary school teacher, and I have always had a love hate relationship with teaching. My 6 years of teaching have definitely been a roller coaster. I have been in 2 different districts and 3 different schools. Anyone who knows me would probably be surprised at all of the moves. I am not normally one to do well with change, but obviously we can see the Lord is working to make me depend on Him more than myself. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I always imagined my classroom being a place to encourage and influence the minds of future leaders. Teaching them how to create and think. What an amazing job! When I actually started teaching I realized that there were barriers that took the excitement away from the joy I had. There were so many stressors that were placed on the school system. The unrealistic expectations can get overwhelming. There are times I feel like I am wasting the kids' time. Giving them test after test. Seeing the kids struggle with different situations, going through traumatic issues, and then I have to remind them that tomorrow they have a math test. There are times when my students are dealing with issues of depression and anxiety, and all I want to do is pray with them and remind them they are not alone. I want to introduce them to a God that loves them and will comfort them. As many teachers can relate, sometimes you feel like you can never do enough. Luckily, I am in a south Georgia school where christianity is mostly accepted, but teaching about Jesus is definitely not written into the curriculum. I used to struggle with teaching because I carried the burden of not being able to directly teach them about the most important person, the one who gave His life on a cross for our sins, our comforter and our councilor…Jesus Christ.

I was reading through the story of Joseph, and he had a lot of things going on. His brothers abandoned him, he was sold to slavery, falsely accused, thrown in jail, and forgotten by a friend. Through all of those different places he never lost his faith. Something I noticed was when Joseph worked for Potiphar, Potiphar noticed the success Joseph brought to his household.  

It says in Genesis 39:3-5

“And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.”(Genesis, 39:3-5, NKJV) 

Potiphar could see that the Lord was with Joseph. Joseph had something on him. It was the anointing. It was the Lord. Joseph didn’t go around the palace preaching about the Lord. Potiphar could see from Joseph's actions, character, and work ethic that the Lord was with him. He could see that the Lord caused Joseph to prosper in whatever he did. This shows us that no matter what situation the Lord has placed us in, if we keep our focus on Him and follow what He wants us to do, the Lord will make it prosper. If the Lord has placed you in that specific job or location, it is not a waste of time. Instead of praying to move like I have often done in my years of teaching we should be praying for the Lord to use us in that place.

Thinking about how Potiphar could see Jesus on Joseph, it makes me think back to how observant children are and honestly how nosy adults are. People watch. They talk. They gossip. I hope that when people talk about me they say that they could see the Lord was with me. People are watching the grace you give others. They are watching you be patient with others. They are watching the ways you forgive. They see your gratitude and thankfulness. They see your joy in times of trouble. They even see you praying and thanking God for your lunch that you brought from home. Being called to “sow seeds” as a christian is more than just sharing the gospel through your words. It is glorifying God in everything you do. 

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians, 10:31-33, NKJV)

No matter whether you are working at the hospital, hair salon, office, or even cleaning homes, if you are a christian, the Lord doesn’t leave you when you walk out of the church. He is with you always. You are on the front lines of the secular realm. As a christian, you are representing Jesus. You may be the only opportunity some people have to see Him and learn about Him. Don’t waste that opportunity. 

When people ask me if I am ready to go back to school, a big part of me wants to say no, because I love the summertime. But then I remember that I have the perfect opportunity to reach people that have never stepped foot in a church. I can reach my students and coworkers by showing them the love of God. Maybe not always by my words, but I always can through my actions. Just because your calling isn’t in a physical church or spiritual does not mean it is not growing the kingdom. God has placed you there for a reason. Now is the time to read the word and spend time in prayer and listen for what he wants you to do with that opportunity. Remember people are watching no matter where you are.

References:

King James Version. Bible Gateway, 2025 https://www.biblegateway.com/