When Times are Difficult . . .

The Christian School Journal
Barrett Mosbacker, Editor
February 20, 2011


Leading a school can be a tough business! I joke with my parents that my job is easy;  I only deal with people’s children, money, and religion!

People can be complainers, inconsiderate, gossips, stubborn, resistant to change, and just downright mean and ornery. Such people can make our jobs and lives miserable.

Before you and I start feeling sorry for ourselves, consider Said Musa’s situation. After reading of his plight I believe we will gain a little perspective on our troubles.

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Teachers as Soldiers

By:  Mark Strohm
Colossians 2 Ministries

2 Timothy 2:2-3 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

I have always appreciated teachers.  Having taught and then served as a Principal of schools I know the value of a great teacher.  But now as a grandfather whose 4 children all attended and graduated from Christian elementary and high schools I look back with great appreciation and fondness at the privilege it has been to watch my children grow and mature under godly, gifted teachers.

When I was in college for several summers I worked alongside three World War II veterans.  Each had remarkable war stories to tell.  Books about soldiers have amazed and inspired us as we read the difficult circumstances that soldiers have endured and overcome in battles.  I can’t help but feel it is significant that Scripture mentions teachers and soldiers together. 

While our Christian School teachers are not fighting with guns and bullets, they are fighting against a pervasive, dogmatic, ungodly world view that seems to have taken over media and educational systems alike.  Teachers must skillfully use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17.

Soldiers fight against tyranny and aggression but Christian School teachers fight against those who want to keep our children from the knowledge of God.  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

While soldiers are out to destroy or take captive the enemy, Christian School teachers are out to serve God above all and desire to love the enemy. “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will,” 2 Timothy 2:25 – 26.

Soldiers seek to keep their citizens from being taken captive by the enemy but Christian School teachers fight to keep students from being captive to the philosophies and forces of the world.  “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ,” Colossians 2:8.

Despite the strength and enormity of the enemy, Christian School teachers are making a difference every day.  While physical death is not around every corner, spiritual darkness and separation from God are the natural consequence for a lost and dying world.  The heroic efforts Christian School teachers are giving each and every day is no less inspirational than the stories I heard as a young college student.  Soldiers fight for life and freedom which merely last a lifetime, Christian School teachers fight for the soul which will last for all eternity! 

Thank you Christian School Teachers!