Sunday Reflection: The Masterpiece and the Meaning

I know a young lady who is a teacher, who was not rehired at her school. Her passion for teaching is evident. Her employer district did not give her the usual notice so that she could apply elsewhere--early. She felt she was a popular teacher, with her parents and students, therefore was blindsided. There were those indiviuals who didn't want her at the school any longer. There are always "those" people.

I told her, “You cannot let others determine your worth." But we’ve all done that from time to time, believe we are what others say we are.

“Stop trusting in man, who has but breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22 (NIV)

Positions for classroom teachers were mostly filled, but she continued to apply within the radius of her home. She was mostly met with, "Yes, we’ll interview you", and then, "We’ve filled the position from within". Understandably, she was sad and cried a lot, but continued to interview.

I've found that sometimes the answer to our efforts, where God is concerned, is no or not now because He has the better plan. I know it’s easier to stand outside someone else’s storm and tell them to have faith in God, but I’ve lived a long time, and I told her just that. 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) 

She enrolled her kids in our district because that’s where her house resides, and two things happened. 

When her mind cleared of the hurt and disappointment, she was free to listen to our heart-speaking, mighty God. She saw the path that she was supposed to take, one where she would pursue a lifelong dream of furthering her education in a specialized field. After that revelation, she was offered a job in the school where her youngest attends.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

We are always free to choose the lesser version of life, where God isn't invited, where we sell ourselves short, let fears chase us in the wrong direction and unfounded worry drive our reactions. If we could only pre-see God’s completed plan of our life, before we rearrange it, we would see the masterpiece and a truer meaning to our life. 

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Blessings,

Teresa