But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you

will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of
the God whose I am, and whom I serve, stood beside me and said,
Do not be afraid . . . So keep your courage, men, for I have faith in
God." (Acts 27: 22-25)
Courage In the Storm
The ship was being shaken by the mighty storm. Paul, all the other
prisoners, and the crew were extremely frightened. The ships captain had disregarded
Pauls warning not to sail and the crew and passengers now found themselves in the tempests belly. Despite the
captains arrogant disregard of Gods prophecy through Paul, God still had mercy and promised to spare every life
aboard the ship. Paul, who recognized God as his master, declared fearlessly that his faith in Christ would be the
deciding factor in everyones fate, not their fear.
Most of us have or will experience storm years in our profession. Where do we turn when there is a tempest
in our classrooms and profession? Do we say confidently like Paul, We have faith in the God whose we are and whom
we serve?
Marlene, a young high school math teacher, faced her most difficult year yet. Saddled with five different class
preparations, every day she went to school she felt like she was walking into a storm. Marlene scarcely knew what to
do with the lowest performing 12th grade math students she had been assigned to teach. Many had failed their state-
mandated math tests three years in a row. These students were part of a school designated as low performing because
it did not meet the federal testing standards. Many of Marlenes math students struggled with learning disabilities and
English was their secondary language. Several were special education students and some had criminal records. Into
this cauldron of despair, Marlene braced herself for what she believed would be a tumultuous year.
Marlene, a young woman of faith and courage, knew that she could only survive by consistently praying for
herself and her students. She invited other teachers to meet and pray with her on Tuesday mornings before school, but
few attended. Most Tuesdays she was alone in her classroom seeking Gods face. She realized that her only strength
came from being in His presence. These days and times of committed prayer became the calm, the eye, in Marlenes
storm, the time and place where she received Gods strength, peace, perspective and inspiration to carry on.
During the course of that storm year, one of Marlenes students parents was brutally murdered. The murder
made the national headlines and looked to be the avenue for disaster for this precious student. Marlene, with another
teacher, visited the home of the student who had lost her mother. As Marlene visited with the students grandparents,
she prayed for them and with them there in their home. She gave them Gods comfort. She showed them the calm, the
eye, the peace to be found in their family storm.
That storm year ended with great success for Marlene and her students. Over 95% of the students passed their
exit level state math exams. At the years end, Marlene meditated on the level of intensity of prayer, fasting, and
intercession her students had required. It was then that she realized the year of greatest pain and the greatest
professional trials had produced the greatest year of spiritual harvest in her life.
Is this school year a storm year for you? How are you handling it? If this is a smooth sailing year, do you see
staff members around you who are in the storm? Are you being of assistance to them and reaching out to them with
Christs hope and courage? Are you directing them to the calm found in the middle of the storm?

Prayer: Lord, grant students, parents and staff courage in the midst of personal and professional storms. Lead us into
your presence in prayer, into the calm eye of these storms. May not even one of us be lost.
Application: Fast one lunch meal this week while at school and pray for your students during the time you usually
eat. Arrive early one morning this week and anoint each desk with oil and pray for each student by name.
.

Sharing: Share the success of one of the most difficult students youve ever taught.

CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: TEACHER! TAKE COURAGE! (For inquiries contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 25