Wisdom From Teacher
“Nothing less than our best for Christ and nothing more than
God’s complete adequacy for our inadequacy.”
Bill and Vonette Bright founded and led Campus for Christ (Cru) that include ministries such as the Jesus Film. Over 3 billion people have heard the gospel through the ministry they started. But who shared the gospel with the Brights?
“Teach the Word clearly and correctly, to the end that people may come to know Christ as Savior and Lord and to grow spiritually, faithful in every good work.”
Billy Graham reached billions through five decades of ministry and was pastor and counsellor to Martin Luther King, Jr, U.S. Presidents, Winston Churchill, Indira Ghandhi, Queen Elizabeth, and many others. But who did Billy credit with counseling him and helping him work through doubts he had?
“Determine so to live in Christ that by your life you will compel man to think of Christ; God’s wisdom to know His will; God’s power to do His will – this is really living.”
U.S. Senate Chaplain Richard, Young Life founder Jim Rayburn, Navigators founder Dawson Trotman, Seminary President Charles Fuller and many other pastors, missionaries and elected officials also had significant ministries that continue to touch many lives. But who do they gladly credit for the counsel and confidence and equipping they received?
The answer, and the source of the quotes above, is Henrietta Mears, a Sunday School teacher known affectionately as ‘Teacher’.
Henrietta Mears is a hero of the faith and like others before us, we can benefit from her wisdom as well. In that vein, here is some of Henrietta’s wisdom as recorded in the book Teacher: The Henrietta Mears Story by Marcus Brotherton (I highly recommend it).
· Regarding God’s call, Henrietta’s biographer noted that Henrietta believed that God gives people the desire to do the work He calls them to, then He helps them do it. She said, “God will lead you and give you the desire in your heart for the one place He wants you to fill.”
· Henrietta’s challenge to many was to pray and ask God, “What wilt Thou have me to do?”
· Henrietta said the secret to her success was prayer
Henrietta Mears impacted the world for Christ by investing in people that would invest in other people.
Don’t discount the impact you can and are having even if you don’t always feel like you are. Be diligent and obey the call to make disciples who make disciples (MT 28:18-20 and 2 Tim 2:2).
One more nugget from Teacher Henrietta Mears:
“Wherever you are, start where you are. Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you move forward; then move. Use your initiative to work hard and work well – use whatever you’ve been through and whatever you’ve been given.”