Enter through the narrow gate [in education].

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction [in education]. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life [in education],
and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The Narrow Gate

Karen is a ninth grade English teacher at Summit High School, an inner city school in Denver,
Colorado. She starts each day with a five to ten minute quiet time alone with God at her desk in her
classroom. She randomly opens her Bible and finds a passage she believes the Lord wants to give her for the
day. She then prays this scripture for herself and the students, staff, and parents she serves. She prays it for all of those above her in
authority in her profession. The scripture is her cup of spiritual coffee and her wake up call to focus on the Lord throughout her school
day. She keeps the Bible open to that passage on her desk all day to constantly remind her to be open to Gods word and direction as
she teaches.
On a Thursday morning she opened her Bible and the scripture she turned to and found was, Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only
a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Karen prayed, Lord, lead me through your narrow gate and use me to lead others in this profession through this gate as well.
Lead the students, parents, and staff of this school through the narrow gate. Lord, lead all of those above me in authority in education,
from my principal to the President of the United States, through your narrow gate. Lead us all to life and life more abundantly.
Karen is a master teacher (the Masters teacher) who believes in practical real life application of concepts and ideas taught in
her classroom. Similarly, whenever the Lord gives Karen a specific scripture she always asks Him how she is to practically walk it out in
the real world. Although not in the curriculum guide, Karen instructs her students in how to write business letters, resumes, song lyrics,
blogging, websites, and more. She actually has an annual speed texting contest each year and crowns class champions who receive
small trophies. She makes writing come alive in the real world. She encourages and gives extra credit to students for personal journal
writing and teaches them the benefits of such work. Students love her class. They love her and many who have hated writing have
learned to love it after taking her class.
Karen believes that it is not enough to identify students mistakes. She believes students must be taught simultaneously the
correct answer and skill to substitute for the wrong response. They must be given time then to practice and demonstrate mastery.
Failure is not an option in Karens class and she spends hours tutoring on her own time. She often had problems in her childhood
church when she was constantly being told what not to do instead of what to do. She felt like they were focusing on the darkness
instead of the light. She makes sure that she is constantly giving much more praise and thanks to students, staff, and parents for what
they are doing right, rather than pointing out their errors.
When Karen got home that day, during her quiet time in the evening on her deck with God, she journaled and asked Him in a
letter, In the prayer of confession you gave me* you told me what we are spiritually doing wrong in this profession, now please
practically tell me what we are to do that is right. Show me what the narrow road practically means. This was the response she
believed she got from the Lord and wrote in her journal,
Dear Inquirer,
One must identify and acknowledge the wound before one can stop the bleeding. One must go to a physician if the injury is too great.
The wounding in many educators in many schools is great. You and other wounded teachers are coming to me, the Great Physician,
and acknowledging me. As I gave you the seven sins from which educators need to repent*, now translate them to positive practical
actions just like you do in your classroom assignments. What is the opposite of each of these sins I gave you? Focus now on these
steps for healing and no longer the sin. I have cast them away from you as far as the east is from the west. I will show you and lead
you and others through the narrow gate in education. Here is my hand. Please take it and hold on.
Love,
The Gatekeeper (Jesus)
(To be continued.)
*See devotion for Week 12 First Message.

Prayer: Lord, Gatekeeper, lead all of us in education through your narrow gate and help us safely travel the narrow road you have set
before us in this profession. Show us practical real life things we are to do to stay on this road.
Reflections: Have I gone through the narrow gate in my career in education? Am I on the narrow or broad road in my profession?
What specific real life practical things am I doing in my profession to stay on this road?
Getting Real: Set aside a quiet time to be with God at work and guard this time zealously. Ask Him when, where, and for how long
He wants this time to be. Do it. Begin journaling in your relationship with God.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: Fields of Faith in Education (For info or prayer contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 13