School as a Mission Field

Beloved of God,

When our daughter was little and had the opportunity to go to school, we  were blessed to have the resources to send her to a Pre-k 3 class at a Christian church. We continued through the next year for VPK, a free program. During this time, my husband and I loved the layers of Christian language and the fellowship of believers on top of a solid curriculum. We loved our daughter coming home to hear what she had learned about her faith, as well as the alphabet. It was a wonderful time for all of us. By the time the free year of VPK ended, we were faced with not having the continued resources that would be required to go to a Christian elementary school.  Our baby girl was getting ready to attend public school and I became nervous about what that would be like for her. Little did I know what a great blessing it would be:

-  It's easy to judge the world from under a steeple but how can you practice discernment and activate your faith if you never step away from its shadow?  We are people  born into this world so practice and preparation for it is required.  Having our daughter in secular school has given us the opportunity to apply our faith in a variety of circumstances as all manner of influences have been put in front of her.  It would be so easy to want her sheltered  from things that didn't line up with our beliefs but because she has been challenged in unique ways I can see her developing a skill set that grows each year.  These skills include grace and mercy, knowing what she DOESN'T want to be, standing strong in her faith and asking questions about influences she doesn't understand.  It allows her to see what the world teaches and she can put up these teachings next to our faith. As a result, Mark and I have become better teachers and stronger in our beliefs. (Adults, this means we to need know who we are going in and what God is calling us to do about it.)

- Too often we act as if God is limited by the environment we're in. Certainly, it's easier for US when we're surrounded by familiarity and comfort but God is comfortable and capable under any circumstances.  He can bring believers, reveal His presence and WORK anywhere HE wants to, not just where we expect Him to.

- We have loved seeing our girl be able to practice friendship and relationship with a variety of people while remaining true to who she is. I pray that adults and students alike think of the Ruschmans as Christians they remember fondly.  Despite our concerns about our daughter being exposed to worldly views, it's been just as important to us that our faith be accessible to anyone who needs it. We can BE Jesus for someone even when we don’t have the words.  School is a mission field.

- We have kept balance in our lives by staying involved in our church and SHOWING UP.  Regardless of what the world may bring, we have a soft place to land where we can be ministered to and renewed. We also do the same for others.  No school, work or activity changes that.

People of faith can worry so much about being in the midst of negativity that we forget about our responsibility to provide Jesus for our communities. We wont do that just standing with people who already agree. The world WILL infiltrate our lives. Radio, TV, billboards, magazine covers, affiliations, sports, jobs, friends and family will see to that. Unless we plan a deliberate route to navigate through it all, have a map so we don't lose our way and a guide for when we do, it could threaten to overtake us.  Christians were never meant to hide from the world but to be a light within it.

Christians, come out from your hiding place and your shelters. The world needs you.