Empty Classrooms
Empty Classrooms
By Nathan Jones
Do you remember what the first day of school was like?
I went to 15 different schools over the years, so I was often the new student. I remember back in my school days how the night before classes started I could barely sleep. I’d have these dreams that I’d get lost in the school, and sometimes I’d get to the school and actually get lost or wouldn’t make it to the right class. On the first day, I’d usually end up with a headache. There were worries about who my friends were going to be and what the homework would be like. I had a lot of fears on those first days. How encouraging to as an adult finally find out that teachers are also scared of the first day of school.
Because of the Coronavirus lockdowns, the 2020 school year has been shot. If you’re a parent like me and have children, they didn’t know what the end of the school year was going to be like. For instance, I have a son in college and he had to leave his campus and couldn’t return to finish out the semester. My daughter graduated from high school this year, but graduation was almost canceled, and for some schools it was. My youngest who is special needs, well we’ve become the home-school parents. There’s a lot of fear all around about what is going to happen to the future of our education system during this time period.
A Fearful Situation
There’s a great story in the Bible about conquering fear which you can find in 1 Samuel 17. You’re probably very familiar with it as it’s the story of David and Goliath. It’s about a teenage boy who by God’s power defeated a giant who was nine feet nine inches tall.
When identifying the fears in this story, realize that the Israelites were very fearful because they were up against the Philistines and their champion, Goliath. Their champion every day challenged the Israelites to a one-on-one duel. Israel’s own champion, King Saul, was terrified and refused to go out and meet Goliath. The reason being was that if Goliath won the duel all of the Israelites would have to become the Philistines’ slaves.
The only person who was willing to stand up and meet Goliath’s challenge was a mere shepherd boy named David. He was willing and ready to conquer Goliath, but the Israelites weren’t too certain. You could imagine that the Israelites were pretty scared for they were sure that they were going to lose.
A Fear-busting Champion
But, David trusted God to overcome his own fear due to a number of reasons. For one, David knew that God is all-powerful. Nothing can beat God! He is omnipotent. Jesus Christ defeated even death, as Romans 6:9 tells us.
David also knew that God had made certain promises to His people. Here are three in particular. If you are a Christian you know that Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us that, “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” And, 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We can know that we have a powerful God on our side.
David also knew Who’s the battle was. It wasn’t David’s, it wasn’t the Israelites’; it was God’s. As David proclaimed in 1 Samuel 17:47, “Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
David also knew Who’s the victory was — it was God’s. As 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
From these verses, we know that God is all-powerful and we can trust in His promises. So, all that we need to overcome our Goliaths of fear is three things. The first is faith, even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed.
Second, we need experience with God. David had experience with God defending him because God through David had already earlier defeated both a bear and a lion. When you walk through life with Jesus Christ you will gain experiences that will help you trust Him more.
And third, you need to have bravery. What is bravery? Bravery is simply being afraid but still doing what needs to be done anyway.
Maybe your Goliath of fear is the fear of trusting Jesus Christ as your savior. Then ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you overcome that fear. Then you, too, can conquer the Goliaths of fear in your life by placing your fears in God’s hands. Remember 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.”
Jesus’ return in victory can be your victory as well. Students, parents, teachers — this is a tough time of not knowing what our educational system will look like in the future, but remember that those Goliaths of fear can be conquered by trusting in Jesus Christ.