There are too many embarrassing and sad moments about my high school experience to even begin to catalogue. Every evening, alone in my bedroom I would have a sad and depressing pity party.
In those early teen years, I was actually quite fit. I played soccer, cricket and was a reasonable runner. I well remember in my second year taking part in athletic heats that would determine the athletics team that would compete against other local schools. The problem? The events would take place on Saturday. I knew that my parents could simply not afford the additional cost of transportation to get me to those events.
During the 200 metre heats, I found myself leading the pack; I knew that if I made first or second place, I would be expected to attend the competition the following Saturday. I had no option but to slow down and let others pass me. One of my few opportunities for success and I had to throw it away.
Why do I mention this? I subsequently became a teacher and at first my approach to teaching was based on what I had experienced. I was as inhospitable as the teachers and community I had experienced!
BUT, when Jesus Christ drew me to Himself and began to redeem my thinking, my approach to teaching was transformed. I began to develop a determination to seek out the lonely and the isolated; the sad and the troubled. There are school students across the world who are desperate for understanding and for our love and care. They need to love and be loved, know and be known, serve and be served and celebrate and be celebrated. This needs to take place in an environment that radiates hospitality.
We have many young people in need of our pro-active support and grace. I can look back at my school experiences years later and see that they have been redeemed by Jesus Christ; I can actually value them now. It was the Lord instilling in me a love for young people that maybe I could not have gained in any another way. I pray that each one of our students will leave our communities knowing that they have been loved and valued because we have reflected the nature of Christ to them.
Blessings
Brian