Core Scripture: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Message: Coach G. had the mic.  All ears were attentive as she encouraged the entire student body to finish strong.  What legacy will you leave behind?  How will you be remembered?  The choice is yours.

That got me. 

Of course, I thought of my students, with some riding the fence on making good or bad choices.  But I also thought of myself.  How would I be remembered by my students?  My colleagues?  My administration?  What legacy was I leaving? 

My mind whirled.  I hadn’t been perfect over the last week by any means.  Although I had some victories, there were low moments as well.  My voice shook the room in anger one day.  Sarcasm came out another time.  I was letting a few of them get under my skin. 

That legacy thought was dancing in my head as I stretched my back the next morning.  God began to speak to me through a song playing on my phone.  It was Casting Crowns lyrics to “Only Jesus.”  The message was crystal clear …

It didn’t matter if my students remembered Mr. Daniels the person.  It is not about me.  What matters is if they remembered the Christlike character I displayed.  How did I make them feel?

Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  How powerful is that thought!

To the kid who was ridiculed by his classmates for wanting to win an award but didn’t, did I go to bat for him?  Did I defend him?

To the troubled boys who were blazing around the track at the meet on Friday, did I encourage them?  Will I remember to compliment them next week?

To the kid who wants to get a rise out of me, will I allow him to see smoke blowing through my nostrils or will I show him tough love in a gentle way?

To the kid who is unmedicated and off the walls jittery, will I continually shout at him to sit down, or will I find ways for him to productively get up to get his energy out?

To the young lady who has missed countless days of school, including an entire week for her biological dad’s funeral, will I allow her grade to be destroyed, saying it is on her to come to me; or will I approach her with love to help her finish her Argumentative Essay?

To the colleagues that join me in PLC every morning to begin the day, will they hear me complaining or trying to find solutions to help students? 

Every one of those scenarios above is real.  I am sure you all have your own.  As Christian teachers, how we react to these situations must epitomize the values of Jesus. 

Paul was so bold to tell others to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).  Can we do the same?  Can we rise above the temptations raining down on us like a hailstorm, holding true to God’s Word?  To quote Paul again, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). 

It is time to buckle up.  Only a week and a half to go for me.  Whether or not my name is remembered is meaningless.  The legacy I want to leave behind is Jesus.

Song application: “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns

Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

Bible study: Journal or discuss the following scripture and apply them to the theme above …

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
• “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the opportunity to influence others by being Christ to them.
• Pray that we will overcome temptations to display Christlike character in the classroom.
• Pray that others will remember only the legacy of Jesus. 

Just for fun: I have a student who was signing autographs this past week.  He claimed he ate a tornado that was going to destroy the school.  Oh, the creative minds of 6^th graders! 

Prayer: Lord, help me reflect the legacy of Jesus to my students.  Amen.