Grace, peace, and joy to you and our brothers from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As we continue working to educate and guide the next generation until Jesus comes, I know our role is both important and sometimes tough. When the work feels heavy or the classroom challenges seem overwhelming, it helps to remember that we are not alone in this harvest.

Do you remember Mary’s words in Luke 1:47: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Of course, she did not proclaim this at the end of a school year, but her words remind us that rejoicing comes from experiencing our Savior. Mary did in a huge way.  When was the last time you experienced God?

As educators in any capacity, we often feel responsible for shaping minds, caring for hearts, and helping students through difficult times. Yet we must remember that only God can truly save, restore, and transform lives. We serve faithfully from the school to the District Office, praying for the Savior to do what only He can do—both through us and without us. Jesus is the true Savior of every child we teach and every parent we reach throughout the school year. 

Some days, we feel discouraged, or simply exhausted. As Christians, however, we understand that we have been sent into a harvest that represents a burden of abundance. Like any harvest, the work can be draining and demanding, BUT GOD!

Do you see why we need Jesus as our daily Savior? Consider Psalm 68:19: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Notice that He said “burdens” (plural). He didn’t even mention the victories..

The psalmist also writes in Psalm 27, “Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God, my Savior.” As true servants, we can trust that God hears us when we call out to Him. When lessons don’t go well, when discipline is difficult, or when the job feels overwhelming, God remains our helper. He never abandons those who faithfully serve Him and others.

Please don’t miss verse 8 of Psalm 27: “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Try not to simply go through the motions of work and home. Make time to seek God. Find a church that faithfully teaches the whole Bible. As students of His Word, we should always desire to keep learning.  Go to church like you want your students to come to class.

And in the moments when Psalm 43:5 speaks directly to our heart, respond like David: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Keep up the hope, the rejoicing and the praise, and I’ll do the same.