Recently, I listened to two of John Mark Comer’s books Practicing the Way and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. I highly recommend both of them, but they sure hit me in some sensitive spots. John Mark writes about how he seeks to be more like Jesus by being his apprentice, much like Jesus’s disciples, spending time with him, doing what he does, and becoming more and more like him.
At a couple of points, John Mark mentions that Jesus had a “normal” job as a carpenter for a long time before he began traveling and teaching as a rabbi. What challenged me was when John Mark said, “Jesus could have done any job. He could have done the same job as you” and then challenged his readers to think about how Jesus would have done our jobs. This has had my mind spinning for several weeks. Jesus - a middle and high school choir director?
I have been a choir director for twenty years, though In some ways, I feel like a first-year teacher every year. One of the best parts of my job is that I get to many of the same students for as many as eight years in a row. I get to watch them grow as people and as musicians, and we go through life together. I hope to be someone constant that they know they can come to if they need anything, and we have many fun times as we learn and make music together. The hard part of having the same students every year is that you can’t repeat your plans from the previous year. I have to change things up. Even though we will cover some of the same important skills each year to help the new kids and remind the returning kids, I can’t use the same teaching materials and tests every year. It is always new and customized to the needs of that group. The concerts we perform must not be the same every year, nor could they be as the abilities and sizes of the groups are always changing. So, I am always looking for music that is fitting for each group, will be educational, has variety, will be fun to learn, and that audiences will enjoy. Also, each group is different, so I am designing curricula and concerts for each group separately. I enjoy this process and all the new things we get to do, but figuring out how to teach each group is also why I often feel like a first-year teacher every year.
As I have been pondering how Jesus would do my job. I have decided it would look a LOT different. So far, there are five main things that I am pretty sure would look very different if Jesus were doing my job.
Jesus never hurries.
I always have a very long “to-do” list. It will all get done, and try to get it done efficiently, but there is a lot, so I squeeze as many things into my planning time, transition times, and evenings as possible. I usually want to do “one more thing” before I have to be at my next appointment (or go to bed). You will see me checking/sending emails between classes, or running to get those copies off the printer before my class arrives, etc. I want to be ready!
But Jesus never hurries. He would be the teacher who is at the door to meet his students every day, to look them in the eyes, and make sure they know he sees them and they are welcome. He would be in the hallways to say “hi” to all of the students that aren’t in his classes too. Unless he was with students at lunch, he would probably be in the teacher’s lounge at lunchtime, connecting with coworkers, hearing how things are going in their lives, and encouraging them. If I want to be more like Jesus, I need to do these things and slow down.
Jesus puts others first.
Jesus wouldn’t be most concerned with his “to-do” list, though I know he would do a good job. He would be most concerned with other people, and doing the things God needed him to do that day. The most important things God needs him to do that day probably are not administrative tasks. They are probably conversations with specific students and coworkers.
The work will get done, but if I’m too rushed, I will miss out on the opportunities to connect with people. I have had some amazing, undoubtedly God-ordained conversations in the copy room and the hallway. I probably have missed some too because I was rushing around working. If I get better at slowing down, I wonder who I can help. I wonder who will help me?
On Tuesdays, I ask my students if they want to share good news. When we get close to a concert, I often skip this because we “don’t have time”. Jesus probably would make time for this. Kids love to share and be heard and they deserve the time to be heard.
Jesus prioritizes time with God.
I try to take time in the morning to read my Bible and pray. I often keep praying/worshipping on my way to school. It is the best way I know to start my day. Some days, I am running behind, or tried to squeeze too many chores in before breakfast, or am meeting students before school, and I skip my devotion time. Jesus would not do that. He would not hurry. He would get up early.
I have learned that when Jesus was extra busy with teaching, he would take more time with God, not less, like me. In the moment, spending time with God can feel like I’m delaying myself from “getting things done”, but of course, it will help! When we are busy, we need extra doses of God’s guidance, strength, and reminders of what’s important. When I read my Bible first in the day, I am reminded that He goes before me and is with me. I do not have to handle it all. I’m just there to do what He wants me to do. What a joy to be chosen by the King of the Universe to do some of His Kingdom work! He doesn’t actually need us, of course - like a dad letting his little son “help” him with a task, God chooses to let us help and let’s us get a glimpse of His amazing plans!
Jesus does not worry.
I worry a lot. I am getting better, but I still struggle. Two main things regarding my job worry me: events and enrollment. We have a lot of events throughout the year, and they all require a lot of preparation, both in class and behind the scenes. I worry that we won’t get it all done and that the students won’t feel successful. (Amazingly enough, it always gets done, and performances tend to go very well.)
Enrollment is always a challenge in the vocal music world, but my program went down to about half the size because of the pandemic (which I worried my way through). I have done everything I can think of to do to increase enrollment, and even my smallest choirs have done great things, but I continue to worry. I feel like it’s all on my shoulders to rebuild the program and make it a successful one. Why?
Jesus never worries. I try to remember that I am here to teach whoever God brings me. Any teacher will tell you that there are definite advantages to small class sizes. That is true - even in a class where you want bigger numbers. I have been reminded many times, that though the small numbers have worried me a lot, I also had a lot less grading to do, and could get to know the students even better than in larger groups. There are always good things. Over time, the Lord has provided great opportunities that could help with recruiting, and my administration has been supportive through this time. I can only do what I can do, and I don’t have to worry. It will all turn out as it is supposed to, regardless of what I do or don’t do.
Jesus invited people to join him all the time. Some came, and some didn’t, and that was regarding eternity. He loved each person, but He did not worry. He trusted his Father. Why do I worry about people joining choir? If it was just choir he was inviting them to, he definitely would not worry.
Jesus would keep things simple.
I am a task-oriented person who loves crossing things off that “to-do” list. So, I wonder, if I try to be more like Jesus, slow down, put others first, prioritize my time with God, and try not to worry, when do I get my work done? This one has bothered me a bit.
I think the answer is to keep things simple. Don’t over program so I’m stressed out about being ready for a performance. Then, we have time to learn things well, but also have time to learn fundamentals. It is summer right now. I have time now to put some teaching materials together, but they don’t have to be flashy or complicated. Teach the content, leave time to breathe and accommodate, and have fun together.
It is my sincere hope that I can make changes to be more like Jesus in my work. I don’t want to be so rushed that people feel like I don’t have time for them, or that I don’t feel like I have time for devotions. I want to have time for my family in the evenings rather than work all the time. God and others are far more important than anything on my “to do” list. I don’t have to worry about getting things done. He has always helped me get things done before, and it is my prayer, and my hopeful speculation that He will bless my attempts. I am sure I won’t get it right all the time, but I am excited to try!
I wonder what you do for a living and how you think Jesus would do your job?
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