Back to school! As a kid, I always loved this time of year. A new class, fresh notebooks, the anticipation of what I would learn. Even now, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils makes me happy. Learning has always been an adventure for me and I’ve had the benefit of many gifted and committed teachers. But it has only been in more recent years, as God has drawn me into teaching, that I am beginning to more fully understand what it is to be taught…and what it is to teach.
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning He wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:4
This passage has great meaning for me as it defines a teacher’s role – to sustain the weary. That’s a lot more than just passing off information or facts. As I looked into the word sustain, I found hints - to provide what is needed, give strength, nourish. It’s not about filling heads with facts, but rather strengthening those who need it. Sometimes the need is immediate, encouraging through truth. And sometimes it is nourishing the student so as to build strength for a future circumstance. A teacher knows how to sustain the weary – and that’s not just words, it’s action. It must be modeled.
I’m also reminded in this verse that a teacher is also listening and learning. I need ears that hear, especially the voice of my Teacher. In order to be a good teacher, I must also be a good student. Listening to my students so I can recognize the weary and know how to offer sustenance.
My prayer is that God would waken me every morning with ears that hear Him – that listen with a heart to be taught by Him. And that He would grant me a true teacher’s tongue, with words that strengthen and encourage His people.
