gestalt

Random thoughts regarding value keep showing up. I just read that the monetary value of the elements found in the average human has been placed at $4.50 (depending on the daily market). Obviously, the

intrinsic value of a human being is of infinite worth. Years ago I read a story about an artist who kept one of his own paintings hanging above his drawing board. One day a man came to his studio and, after looking around, asked, "How much for that one?" He was pointing to the painting above the drawing board. "It's not for sale." The man, quite wealthy, pulled out his checkbook and said, "You

don't understand, just name the price and I will pay it." The artist smiled as he looked at the painting and said, "No, you don't understand. That painting makes me happy. It keeps me going. It is not for sale, at any price."

One of the joys of a teacher is watching students grow into their potential. My students keep me going. They keep me humble. Here's a lesson I learned last week- learning is based on receptivity. My receptivity, my willingness to receive is directly related to whether the lesson offends me, and, the level of offense.

Last week, one of my students looked me in the eye and said, "I liked my old art teacher better." How do you respond to

that? I said, "O.K." Later, that same week, a parent let me know that one of my lesson choices was wrong and offered a 'better' alternative. In both instances I immediately took offense. For days I chewed on their words and came to this conclusion- taking offense is a choice, a cognitive reaction that is possible to overrule. In a moment of time I can delay my response or remain silent- an aspect of "taking every thought captive." Then I can learn from someone's comment (or opinion). Who knows? Maybe God is trying to teach me how to teach.

"I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; not with Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing."

Jeremiah 10:23,24

Relevance

Recruitment Ad for Antarctic Expedition

Sir Ernest Shackleton, 1914

"When first conceived, an idea is a breakthrough; once adopted and repeated, it tends to become a cul-de-sac." Abraham Joshua Heschel

After fourteen months of unemployment, I am teaching again. Last week I wanted to quit. That, I suppose, is the life of a teacher. Like Sir Shackleton's description of an expedition, the wages tend to be small (no one becomes a teacher for the pay- you can make more money by managing a Taco Bell) with long months of complete darkness. But then it happens, the moment every true teacher yearns to see- the phenomenon known as the 'aha' moment, when the veil is parted and the light comes on. In my life, the Lord puts enough distance between the 'aha's' to keep me going (too many, too often might make me prideful).

During the summer, while still unemployed, I was visiting Hugh Gill. He looked at me and said, "You will be teaching soon, but not like you've ever taught before." He spoke prophecy over me that day. Now I am teaching with the good folk at Trinity Christian Preparatory School, or Trinity Prep for short. It is an amazing and challenging place. The old ways of teaching seem different here. Some of them don't work at all. Hugh was right. I have been praying for strategy. God is re-teaching me how to teach. Yesterday He reminded me that He made my students uniquely unique- as only He does. I cannot approach them with a 'bread' recipe, i.e., "If I follow these steps a perfect loaf will result." No, if I can teach them anything it will be to embrace their uniqueness, to explore the possibilities of what it means to be made in the image of God, the possibilities God Himself has instilled within them. The methodology then will not be learner-based or curriculum-based but God-based outcome.

There is a war being waged against our youth. The forces of darkness are building walls, attempting to erect gates around young minds. In 1986 Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his book Night. As he accepted the award he said this:

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere."

"This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "

Matthew 16:18

The Message

Portrait of a Student

Alex Jamison