Our life is but a vapor...

       During chapel this week at Faith Christian Academy, we had a guest speaker named Matthew Berry.  His scripture reference was James 4:14 which says "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."  (KJV)  He also conducted an experiment to demonstrate how vapors happen or are made.  It brings to mind how we live our lives.  As it states in the Bible, our life is but a vapor.  We go about our daily lives without really knowing what kind of impact we have on the lives of others.  Our own children see us day in and day out at home so they know the real us.  However, our students see us from 8:00 - 3:00 each school day.  What kind of vapor are you making?  In your classroom, is your vapor having an impact on students?  How about outside of their academics, what does your vapor look like.  We only have 180 school days to have an impact on the lives of our students.  Sometimes they see us outside of school. How are we outside of the classroom?  What goals have you set that will impact the lives of your students and even their families this year?  It is more than academics, it's about building that relationship with each one of your students and that Christ-centered relationship flowing over to their families.  One part of Mr. Berry's experiment included the use of a highlighter.  He put it into water and it began to glow.  I immediately thought of the heart we should have for Jesus and how the love of Jesus should glow in us just like the highlighter in water.  

    Taking the time each day to continue building that relationship with our students also means sharing Jesus Christ with them and applying those principles in all subjects.  Showing them that we care and telling them that Jesus cares.  In our classroom, we talk a lot about 1 Peter 5:7 which says we are to cast all of our cares upon Him!  We talk about what we should take to Jesus in prayer.  I remind them that nothing is too small or too great to share with Jesus Christ.  That's the kind of vapor we need to be creating around our students.  Making sure they know how to pray and how to take all of those burdens to Jesus Christ.  

    Yes, our life is a vapor that will fade away.  What kind of legacy will you leave behind?  We may not all be in a leadership position currently, but as teachers we are leaders in our classroom.  Our mission field is right inside the 4 walls of our classrooms.  When leading our students in the classroom, we should strive to not only teach how to be Christ-like, but we should show that same attitude to our students, parents, and all staff.  

    

    As you begin this next week of school, stop and think about what kind of vapor you create in the classroom.  Is it a Christ-centered vapor, or is a selfish vapor?

       

    I pray everyone has a blessed week!