Be strong and courageous for you will bring the Israelites [students] into

the land I promised them on oath and I myself will be with you.
(Deuteronomy 31:23)

Rungs on the Career Ladder

Take a good look at all of your new students. No matter what colors, sizes,
shapes, conditions, attitudes, aptitudes or behaviors you see, know this: God sees the
plans He has for them, not to harm them but to bless and prosper them, to give each
one a hope and future. Each one has a promised land. Not only does God have
awesome creative lesson plans for them in your classroom this year, He has an awesome creative life plan for them as
well. You are a part of a divine plan in each childs life! God has handpicked and placed each student in your
classroom! Wow! Your classroom is not an assembly line created by men. Your classroom is unique. It will be custom
handcrafted by God himself if you let Him hold and fashion you in the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 64:8)
God has chosen you to lift students up, to lead them to a higher place for brief periods of time each day for a
brief season in their lives. Using the faith, wisdom, and knowledge you impart, they move farther into their hope and
future. You are a rung on each childs ladder to heaven. (Remember that when you feel all wrung out or like you
are being stepped on! God wants to remind you that you are not the only rung on the ladder. Dont be discouraged if a
child wont climb your rung. God has a whole warehouse of rungs and He has angels to help the children that are too
frightened or wounded to climb.) As your students step and climb upon you they will find a sure foothold, not because
of who you are, but because of who Christ is in you.
Some of your students peers, siblings, parents, and media idols may be digging pits for them to fall into.
Some students are already busily digging their own pits. Some are dwelling deep in these pits and tunneling, but you
are the ladder. You are a part of the straight path, the highway, the higher way of life, because you are letting Jesus
lead you in your classroom this year as never before. You are choosing to follow His teachings to forgive, return
good with evil, go the extra mile, pray in your closet, agree in prayer with other teachers, pray for those above you in
authority, continually thank and praise others, encourage always, correct in love, share the fruit of the Spirit, etc.
Against these things there is no law.
God handpicked Keith, a fifth grader, for Mrs. Carson to serve. Keith was one of those students who was
dwelling and actively tunneling in the deep dark pits. He had severe behavior disorders and had been suspended
numerous times at his previous schools. He was academically four grade levels behind all his peers in all his subjects.
Keith had given up on himself. Previous staff members had given up on him as well. Staff members at Mrs. Carsons
school began praying for Keith before and after school at their daily and weekly campus Encouragement (share, care
and prayer) meetings. They asked God to lead them while working with this young man. They didnt know the way.
Mrs. Carson began returning good for the evil Keith regularly shared with her. Mrs. Carson constantly
encouraged, praised, and thanked Keith. Mrs. Carson integrated Keiths gifting, his love and talent in sports, into his
daily program. Firm boundaries and consequences were set. Mrs. Carson was honest and spoke the truth to Keith and
corrected him in love. Keiths physical need for sleep was fulfilled. Mrs. Carson worked with Keith one-on-one for
hours with custom teacher-made curriculums and programs. Five staff members worked with Keith throughout the
day. At years end Keith had built a trust relationship with the staff and had come to understand educators are ladders,
not just more dirt throwers and pit diggers. By the grace of God, Keith even passed his modified state mandated grade
level reading and math tests, the first time ever in his academic career. It was a miracle. Mrs. Carson and the
supporting staff brought Keith one step closer to his promised land.
May you and your fellow staff members be the rungs of Gods ladder that help young people climb out of their
dark pits, see the Son shine, and get a vision of the hope and future God has planned for them throughout the new year.
Prayer: God, we apologize for throwing dirt into students pits in years past. We apologize for murmuring and
complaining when students, parents, and staff have stepped on us. Thank you for making us rungs on your career
ladder. Grant us more faith, wisdom, and knowledge so we can withstand more weight and help more students.
Application: You know the teaching of Jesus. JUST DO IT.
Sharing: What was the most challenging student you ever taught who you helped out of a pit? Explain.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: TEACHER! TAKE COURAGE! (For inquiries contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 2