I taught elementary school for ten years at the same school, in the same classroom, and at the same grade-level. That may seem monotonous to some, but for those who have been school teachers, you know that every year is drastically different from the next, making teaching the same grade and subject over and over feel like a new experience each year. I loved those years teaching elementary. They shaped me, stretched me, tested my patience, and helped me to grow in patience. There were some years I would Google “what else can I do with a teaching license that’s not the classroom?” and other years where I’d get teary-eyed on the last day of school saying goodbye to my students. I loved my students, the school where I taught, and the people I worked with. But, while teaching reading and writing is so very important, I cared more about the spiritual lives of my students.
I love any mention in Scripture of the Holy Spirit or the Holy Spirit coming to make a home with us. Acts 1:8 states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth,” I find it awe-inspiring that for believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit has come upon us to be our Helper (John 14:16) so that we have power over the schemes of the enemy.
When Jesus humbled Himself to live on earth with us, being born of a virgin, living a life just like any human being would (but in His case, sinless), but then declaring Himself to be the long-awaited Messiah, many people were confused. They had expected the Messiah to overthrow the government and bring power and security to the Israelites. But, like usual, God works in ways we don’t expect.
Instead, He came to us, to die for us so we could be with Him forever. He then ascended into Heaven, giving us the Holy Spirit to live within us. The plan God had for the redemption of His people is both incredible and unexpected.
A couple of years into teaching at the school, I started to feel the tug to start a student Bible study on campus. I worked at a public school and Bible studies + public schools aren’t something you usually see put together in a sentence. So, I started praying. I prayed that the Lord would give me favor with my principal.
After praying and working up the courage for a couple years, I finally asked her if I could start a Bible study with students on campus. She very quickly told me no, and I was very discouraged. I left her office that day feeling like maybe I had misunderstood what God was leading me to do. So, I did the only thing (and the best thing) I could do, I kept praying.
There was a solid Christian family whose children attended my school and through teaching most of their kids, I had a sweet relationship with them. They were a family whose eyes were set on the Lord and I knew that they prayed big prayers too. I started praying that someone in their family would approach me and ask me if I’d start a Bible study on campus. We had never talked about this together and I knew praying for it was a bold move.
A few months after getting the no from my principal, one of the daughters in this family came up to me after classes ended and asked me if I’d sponsor a student Bible study at the school. My jaw hit the linoleum floor. I immediately told her, “I have been praying for this exact moment!” We both were in awe of the Holy Spirit moving in such an intentional and special way.
The next thing I know, she went to the principal and asked if she could help start a Bible study with my help, and my principal said yes, zero convincing needed. It was the clearest example of when God responds, nothing can stop His answer–not even a stern and fast no from someone in authority.
Have you ever prayed about something and God’s answer was unexpected? Just like the Israelites waiting for their long-awaited Messiah, and discovering that Jesus was an unexpected, but better-than-expected, answer to those prayers, God is in the business of doing unexpected things. He is the Creator of all things, with all resources at His disposal and an endless supply of creativity.
Today, I pray that you continue praying for whatever you’re asking God for. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and to move and work in a mighty and unexpected way. That student Bible study started six years ago, and it’s still going strong with a smaller group of girls who are now in high school. If I had given up on praying after my principal said no, I would have missed out on the season of God growing my faith and trust in Him as I waited for His next move.
Don’t miss His next move. Keep praying.
