Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday September 13, 2006

One of the ways that people attempt to make their life livable is to grasp the idea that what we are doing makes them worthwhile. This idea of value through performance of some career, calling or profession is wide spread and often when the person is no longer able to perform, or to exercise the expertise called for, they then become depressed even to the point of suicide. Yet the hope that what we do will make a difference drives most thinking people, even to the trash man. I pick the trash man for most don't pay attention to his valuable service until he doesn't show up for a few weeks. The 'Strike of Trashmen' in New York is legendary.

Another overlooked, yet invaluable service is that rendered by the teacher.

This was brought home to me the other day when Joyce was doing her monthly book review for Larry Lilly's Journal. In her review she quoted Christa McAuliffe, the noted teacher who was killed on the space shuttle, Challenger. Christa had a good idea of her place in the sun and in the lives of children when she wrote:

"I touch the future; I teach."

Every teacher of whatever subject touches the future through the students they teach. The fact that you can read this is proof of the subject. I was taught to read by my sisters prior to entering first grade to begin my formal education. I did very well except in the subjects of English, Math and Social Studies. I sailed through the other required courses. But reading has always been my love. My sisters were not certified teachers, its just that they loved to read and passed on this love to me. I recall most of my teachers fondly, though I feel certain the feeling may not be mutual.

I wonder how many brain surgeons were touched through the teacher that taught Jonas Salk? Or how about the teacher that taught John Glenn, the first true spaceman? The list is long, very long.

The thing taught to others can and does last throughout time as each one who has been taught passes this truth on in someway. Touching the future through teaching is a wonderful career or even a pastime, such as Rotarians teaching adults to read. In this little way they are impacting the future, for time.

But how many unknown, unsung teachers have impacted not only time, but also eternity through teaching a person to read who in turn read the scripture or even a gospel tract and received Christ as savior? The lesson taught resulted in a person living for ever.

A publisher friend of mine, Dave Caswell, donates a portion of every profitable book he publishes to a fund for developing literacy in the state of Indiana. He is touching the future. How can I fail to mention the hundreds of obscure Sunday School teachers who faithfully, week in, week out, teach the truth of Jesus to cherub faced children?

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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