“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on

a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.” (Luke 11:33)
Desk Lamp_______________________________
Jessica had been teaching Algebra I and Algebra II at Jefferson High School in San Antonio for ten
years and become burned out. At the peak of the burnout period a new co-worker in the math department,
Sonya, noticed the small simple gold cross necklace Jessica always wore around her neck.
At lunch Sonya asked Jessica, “Why do you wear the same necklace day after day?”
Through tearful eyes Jessica replied, “It was my mother’s. She died of cancer three years ago. It represents the most valuable
gift I inherited from my mother, her faith in Jesus Christ. I always wear the cross over my heart to remind me of my mother’s love and to
remind me that I need to die unto myself and others and live first for Jesus.”
Jessica looked into Sonya’s eyes, wondering how she was going to respond to her answer. They had talked about many
things over lunch but never about faith or God. Like most educators, they had avoided this topic of conversation, choosing to keep their
personal faith out of the workplace because of the divisiveness it might possibly create. Jessica’s answer, however, opened that door
wide for Sonya to step through.
Sonya continued the discussion, “At my last school we had a Christian teacher share, care, and prayer group that met once a
week after school. It was my anchor which kept me grounded in my faith and helped me avoid getting overwhelmed as the
responsibilities and pressure seemed to grow each year. That group was also the wind in my sails as teachers shared the creative
classroom ideas the Lord was giving them. I was encouraged to integrate my faith in ways I never knew I could. We became very close
and I still keep up with them. They keep asking me if there is a prayer group here and have been encouraging me to start one. I would
really like to start an Encouragement group here at Jefferson High. Would you pray about starting it with me? Yesterday in prayer I
asked the Lord whom I should ask to help me start it. When I saw your cross necklace today I thought you were the answer to my
prayer.”
Jessica replied, “I’ll pray about it tonight. Is it even legal to have such a group like that on campus?”
“Yes Jessica, if you meet on off duty times. Through a Christian teacher professional organization, Christian Educators
Association International (CEAI), I have learned what is legal and not legal for me to do in the classroom. From this group I have
learned I don’t have to leave my faith behind at the schoolroom door. The government and other organizations have published
documents to clarify public school teachers’ expression of faith in God while in school. I’ll bring you a book, Teachers and Religion in
Public Schools, if you want me to,” Sonya answered.
This lunch conversation was a turning point in Jessica’s professional career, as if someone opened the blinds to let the sun
shine into a room that was getting darker and darker each year. She began to meet and pray with Sonya each week. They shared
prayer requests regarding both work and home. They invited other staff members who joined them. Jessica, once burned out, found
her passion for teaching blazing and burning brightly once again as she tapped into and began exercising her faith in her professional
life.
Each week both teachers brought a scripture to share with one another before praying. The second week they met, Sonya
brought the scripture Luke 11:33, “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that
those who come in may see the light.” As Sonya read the scripture, Jessica heard the small still voice of God within her tell her,
“Remove your hidden Bible from the drawer in your teacher desk and set it on top. My word is a lamp unto your feet and this will remind
you and all the others who pass by.”
Initially, fear clung to Jessica after she was given this instruction. She didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her job. She
asked Sonya for the book about teachers and religion in the schools and read it from cover to cover. She was shocked to discover that
different courts ruled different things across the country on the same issue. One section was titled, May a teacher keep a Bible on her
desk? In a Tenth Circuit court case a principal told a teacher to take her Bible off her desk and “the court seemed to assume the
teacher must obey that order….In contrast, the Eighth Circuit court ruled that a principal could have personal religious effects, which
included a Bible on his desk and a framed psalm on the wall of his office….the court noted that government employees did not give up
their free exercise or free speech rights if the personal religious effects are clearly personal and do not convey the impression of
government endorsement.” (Teachers and Religion in Public Schools Fourth Edition by Kimberlee Wood Colby, Esq.)
The next day after reading this, Jessica set her Bible open in the center of her teacher desk. Next to it she placed a picture of
her family, a small antique oil lamp, an antique teacher hand bell, and a wooden carved cup she had received from a Haitian
missionary. These were all her personal items and Jessica was at complete peace. She had obeyed both God and man. Children and
adults who entered the room were often drawn to these unique items and asked questions which Jessica answered without fear.
Prayer: Lord, help us understand church state legal issues in our profession.
Reflection: Do I know laws and/or court rulings regarding my religious expression in my profession? Do I want to know?
Getting Real: Go to the www.ceai.org web site. Click on Shop Our Store. Purchase and read books as the Lord leads.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: THE GREAT RACE (For info or prayer contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 24
Image “Bible Stock Photo” by Aleksandr Kutsayev at freedigitalphoto.net