And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” – Mark 16:15
For most Americans, growing up in a public school is pretty standard. Wake up early, go to school, learn all the things needed in order to pass a test, and be finished by around three o’clock. School wide or grade wide assemblies follow a standard protocol….where they talk about not doing drugs, not being a bully, who will win the big game this weekend, going to college, and making sure you take full advantage of the life you’ve been given.
An assembly for Jesus, though? Yeah right. God in school was ripped away a long time ago, and we were left with having a “moment of silence” so that we didn’t offend anyone that wasn’t a Christian….and it’s remained that way ever since. Want to talk about Jesus, or where you stand in your faith….ANNND you’re a teacher? Forget about it. You can only do something remotely similar to that if you arrive early to school once or twice a week to help lead FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) or FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students). However, some schools only offer FCA….so mark non-athletes off the list for getting in on some of that Jesus action. Oh, and there is that one time a year where it’s openly acceptable to meet at the flag pole, circle around it, and pray out loud. Those moments for a Christian are so treasured….but so limited.
The irony in all of that is that in America our foundation is put on being “one nation under GOD”. Not “gods” or “school” or “idols”….but the one and only G-O-D. The Creator of the Universe….God….Jesus Christ.
And yet….we can’t mention Him in schools. We can’t have outsiders come in to a filled auditorium of students and teachers to share their story of how they came to Jesus, and how much He loves them….and what being loved by the Heavenly Father looks like.
….Wake up America….
I’ve spent the last 5 months as a missionary in Southeast Asia teaching English. Yes….it has been grueling, and yes….I’ve been exhausted, and yes….I’ve had moments where I’ve wanted to live the life that most people think I live while on the World Race….in the red light districts, the slums, an orphanage, or doing manual labor for Jesus. But I had to realize that I’ve been put in these places for a very specific purpose…whether I like it or not. Because let’s be honest….it’s never about me….there’s always a bigger picture. God ALWAYS knows best.
But be doers of the world, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. – James 1:22-25
I’ve taught English in a school in the Philippines, at an English center in Malaysia, at a cafe in Vietnam, and in at least 6 different schools between two cities in Thailand. And you know who was at the center of each lesson? God.
….Look closely at that list above….read it carefully again if needed so that you can comprehend what I’m about to say next.
That means that while I was in the heavily Muslim semi-closed country of Malaysia….I taught English through Jesus.
While I was in a completely closed and saturated Buddhist country of Vietnam….I taught English in the form of Bible studies….and people came to Christ.
And now….in a place where Buddha is in almost every home, business and school….where you can find a story on every corner selling just Buddhas or just temples….Thailand. My team an I have gone to school after school, and stood in auditoriums read to spread the love of Christ to these students and teachers in the form of teaching English. In auditoriums painted with idols, and adorned with small temples in the yard. In schools where they actually teach about Buddha, who he is, and what he represents to them….an idol. We stand their in from of all of this boldly, and pour our hearts into the education system. Pour the love of Jesus into them with specific questions….asking them point blank if they know who Jesus is….what Heaven is….who the King of Kings is.Most of them have no clue. Some think Jesus is a foreigner that did good deeds, and some….some have never even heard His name.
To that God placed me teaching across Southeast Asia for 5 months so that I have a chance in helping plant a seed….that one student or teacher may have grasped the truth of the living, breathing God….what a blessing.
So I encourage America to wake up. We claim Christianity and we claim that we are a nation founded on God….but do we comprehend the magnitude of what we’re saying? Do we realize that in saying this we should be acting on these words and spreading the love of Jesus like wildfire….not just overseas….but to our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers, our family, our students?
….So wake up America!
But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” – Luke 11:28
