I actually sent this as a message to a wonderful teacher I know and thought I could chop it up and spit it back to you guys who might read this and get your thoughts...

I was reading this today and for some reason teaching/teachers came to mind. It was weird, but this verse took on a whole new form for me in several different areas. Read the verses below and I will explain myself.


1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written,
"THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.


You see, this might sound simple to you, but for me It behooved me to look at this as best I could through a teachers eyes.

We who are strong, bearing the weakness of others... that's in relation to the knowledge and strength of teachers vs the mental clay of students. Added with the fact that you do it not for you, but for hopefully for them, and for our future society. And please his neighbor for his good.. same thing. To build them up

and then in 3, "the reproaches of others fell on him". I viewed this in relations to "TAKS test" and scores, etc. All the stress and pressure that is put on the teachers to have their class, their schools do well. That inevitably falls on you guys and without knowingly points and accusal of not being a good enough teacher, even though its not the case at all! (most of the time) The reproach coming from the district, principals, parents, etc... ends up with the weight of it all on the shoulders of those who have a big enough burden to carry. It falls on you.

and 4. It all boils down to this... "Whatever was written in earlier times was for our instruction." The time spent planning, the curriculum, workbooks, textbooks, etc... "so that through perseverance and encouragement of and through those things that the students might have hope". Hope in a better life, Hope for a stronger self confidence when they do well, Hope for someone caring about them if them might not be getting the it at home. The list could go on and on of the hope that can be provided by someone who is given a chance to succeed.

You teachers have such a huge task, and a huge burden to bear. At the end of all of it you provide Hope! That is what I think bible was revealing to me today. Something that we were given so long ago and didn't deserve it. We were given a chance at a better life, a chance to succeed when everything in this would would try to keep us from that. I have no doubt that you are giving your students, past and present all the hope that you can, even when sometimes they seemingly don't deserve it.

Just thought I could encourage you teachers/educators out there a little bit.
Hopefully this wasn't too elementary a read for you.

Heath