You Were Designed for This
I’m an outdoor girl, for sure. I love being outside, and I especially love Spring when nature abandons her winter grays, births an abundance of new life and generates a surge of fresh activity. It’s fascinating to see how well ordered and meticulously designed all of creation is. God is most certainly artistic, playful and precise.
I feel like I get a front row seat to the show when we abandon the big city for the hillier, more densely treed landscape of our East Texas lake house. There, I’m utterly spoiled by a plethora of wildlife, all within view from our porch. One of my most favorite things to watch for is the activity at our hummingbird feeder. These tiny, little birds are simply amazing!
Hummingbirds are the only birds in the world that can fly in every direction, hover for long periods and even fly upside down! Their particular shoulder and wing bone structure give them this unique advantage. They can fly fast, too – up to 30 miles per hour moving forward, and as quickly as 60 miles per hour when diving down! Their pectoral muscles make up almost 30% of their weight to give them strength, and their hearts are enlarged to pump enough blood for these maneuvers. Their brains are also disproportionately large, allowing them to have incredibly detailed memory skills to recall precise locations of nectar sources, which is critical because they burn calories quickly with all their movements. Once found, they use their long, forked tongues (which protrude through their bills) to lick the nectar, and with 97% efficiency, turn it into energy within minutes. Despite their small size, they’re known to aggressively protect their territory, chasing others away with their speed and diving capabilities. Though small, these birds are especially smart, highly efficient and uniquely gifted. Wow, right?
They’re so worth watching…and yet, they’re not often seen.
Can you relate?
When I think of the gifting, influence, impact, generosity and creativity of teachers, I’m blown away! Almost nobody would be where they are today without the guiding force of teachers. Think about that. Teachers have nurtured almost every great mind, every civilized society, every creative and scientific innovation. Without the building blocks, encouragement and foundation poured out by teachers, our world would not be as it is today.
Your work is important.
YOU are important.
You were created to do just what you’re doing.
If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:7-8)
The truth is, teachers do ALL of these things. You don’t just teach. You also serve, encourage, give, lead and show kindness. That’s what you do! All these things are wrapped around your teaching, and they’re wrapped around hearts of your student too.
And like the hummingbird, you do all these things without being the center of attention. You move quickly. You go in all directions, looking to see where you’re needed. You hover longer when a student would benefit from your attention. You work effectively and efficiently, and you’re protective of your territory- your classroom and your people. You were made for this!
You may not draw attention to yourself, but rest assured, your students see you. They know you, value you and love you. You matter more than they’re able to articulate in their youth….but they feel it deeply, because what you do resonates deeply within them. You draw out the gifts God gave them. You help them discover their purpose. You show them more of who they are; who God created them to be.
That matters. To your students. To God, and I’ll bet to you, too. Your work matters, and it is seen. It IS seen. YOU are seen.
Did you hear that?
You ARE seen. Most importantly, by the One who uniquely created you to be the teacher you are. He gifted you to do His work, and He’ll sustain you to accomplish His plans. It’s no coincidence who your students are. He’s providentially placed you into the lives of each of your students. He’s made you especially for this day, these students and this purpose. He sees you, and He’s with you!
May He help you do your best, for each student, each time. May He guide you, sustain you and show favor on you and your important work. May He bless you and your students in ways you can’t even imagine today, and more than anything, may He be seen through you, who are seen by Him. In His Holy Name, Amen.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Erin Schreyer was a Featured Speaker at the 2019 Teacher, Be Still Conference! She is a joyful encourager and energetic motivator; Believer in Jesus and the infinite power of His love; avid tennis player and hiker; fan of a good book, frosted cupcake and a great glass of wine. Professionally, Erin is a certified leadership and life coach, a certified strengths trainer and a founding member of the John Maxwell Team of certified coaches, trainers and speakers. Also a former Forty Under 40 award recipient, Erin has traded her corporate hat for ministry-related projects and services, strengthening women to live fulfilling and purposeful lives in Christ. Her life verse (and mission) is Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Erin grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, but now happily resides in much sunnier Dallas, Texas. She is a proud wife and always-learning mother of two. Find her at :
