Many years ago, I began my first full-time teaching job with high hopes that I would be able to use and enjoy my gift of learning languages easily. My new assignment in the far north of British Columbia, Canada, was a tall order for a new teacher — teaching French to grades 8 through 12 in a small school. I hoped to impart my love of the French language to classes of students eager to learn. The reality of the situation, however, was far from my dream.

By January of that first year, I was floundering. The students in that remote corner of the province were unsophisticated and not at all interested in learning a second language. Classes were large, especially at the junior high level. I lacked the experience to make adjustments to the curriculum; its emphasis at the time was speaking and oral practice — there was no writing. The classroom situation deteriorated. By the end of my second year, it was gently suggested to me that I resign. I did resign, and for a long time, I felt that I had failed in my career.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 – He will keep you strong to the end … . God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)

Apart from the setting and circumstances, in hindsight, I see another reason that I was not successful in my first teaching post: I didn't partner with Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (NLT)

I was a believer, and I knew the first part of this Scripture about coming to Him when weary and finding rest.

I did not, however, put into practice the rest of the Scripture.

I now understand the concept of Jesus as my fellow yoke-bearer. A pair of oxen wore a wooden yoke on their shoulders to equalize the burden that they had to pull. Two together, pulling equally, made the burden manageable. Putting into practice my relationship with Jesus would have changed my difficult situation into one with which I could have coped. At the time, I wasn't used to partnering with Him in every aspect of my life. I'm sure that I didn't pray about my work in more than a superficial, desperate way. I hadn't yet learned that Jesus is my teacher and that He could teach me the strategies that I needed.

I'm glad to say that over the years, my faith in my ability as a teacher has been restored. I've had another opportunity, in another school, to teach French, and have been teaching French to my grandchildren.

Let's remember that we don't have to struggle alone. In partnering with Jesus, the burden of any heavy situation is eased.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that we can partner with You through life. Thank You that You have promised to give us rest when we can no longer go on. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Send your feedback to the author