A TEACHER’S NATURE

Recently, I have had the opportunity to teach several classes at a local university. This opportunity has given me a new perspective on being the “teacher” and a new view on the role God plays in our lives.

There are certain, different learning patterns that my students follow. Some of them listen attentively to my lectures and conscientiously try to meet my expectations. Other students skip class and try to slide by with as little effort as possible. But, in the end, they all want to “exceed expectations” for the course work assigned. It is my reaction to this second group of students that I find interesting.

I always make myself available to my students. I hold extra office hours and encourage my students to see me with any questions they may have. I want to help them learn the course material, but more importantly, I want to bring out their latent abilities.

There are always a few students I observe struggling through the material, barely “keeping their heads above water.” I get frustrated knowing they are wasting their own time and my time. I wonder why they don’t come to class, why they don’t ask questions when they are confused, why they don’t avail themselves of the education available to them.

But, I do not seek these students out. I do not contact them and ask them why they don’t come to class or schedule appointments with me. I cannot insist that they take advantage of the resources available to them. That is not my role. Furthermore, students are not receptive to assistance when it is forced on them. An instructor can only teach students who want to be taught.

But at the end of every semester, one or two of these straggling students will come to me. They are worried about their grades and ask for my help. Initially, I am tempted to respond that if they had attended class, they wouldn’t be worried about their grades. But, the teacher in me prevails. I find that, despite the late date, I am glad that they came to me, and I am happy to help them. In my opinion, that is the role of the teacher. I excuse their absences and their shoddy earlier attempts. And I assist them the best that I can so they can succeed in the course.

How does this relate to our relationship with God? Clearly, we are the students, and God is the teacher. Some of us are better students than others. Those poor students among us – we skip church, we make shoddy attempts at satisfying God’s expectations, and we generally flounder our way through life.

But, God is the quintessential teacher. I believe God is always there waiting for us to avail ourselves of His support. And even if we’ve ignored His teachings and have floundered our way through a good part of the semester (or life), when we come to Him for help, I believe He must be happy that we have come to Him and happy to assist us. That is the nature of the Teacher.

— Kathy Hansen

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist