Isaiah 66:1 This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?”
In the classroom, I am charged with understanding both the big picture—where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how those two intersect—and where we are currently, along with how that fits in with the bigger picture. I used to try to share all of that with students, but they were often so focused on the now that they missed how it fit in as part of the whole. If I can get students to trust that I have a master plan and to do the little, daily steps, usually, eventually, they realize that we’ve been working diligently on the big picture all along.
Isaiah 66:2 “Has not my hand made all these things and so they came into being?” declares the Lord “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
Ironically, when I am the student and God is the teacher, I find that I am often just as short-sighted and impatient as my own students when it comes to trusting His big picture and daily plan. It takes a humble and contrite spirit to trust and continue even when the big picture isn’t clear, even when the work of now doesn’t seem relevant. Jesus, Help me.
Isaiah 66:3 …They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;
Lord, Thank You for showing me that my lack of trust in Your daily plan is my pride and that my lack of trust implies that I think You don’t know what You are doing. Help me to be humble and contrite in spirit, help me to seek You daily, help me to trust You—the master teacher—and to trust Your master plan, even when I don’t understand. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 66:4 …so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”
Have a blessed day.