The English Teacher

Hebrew 10:19-25

My eighth grade English teacher lived and breathed literature and the theater. Once a successful actress she encouraged us to read dramatically. Shakespeare came to life under her tutelage. She occasionally asked me to assist her and advised me to become more involved in drama. So, I began taking classes and even appeared in a few plays.

Because of my interest in literature and drama, I signed up in college for Oral Interpretation of Literature. Today those learned oral Interpretation skills play a major role in reading and interpreting the Bible and shaping my Sunday sermons.

Why am I sharing this? I had a talent but didn’t know until a teacher offered encouragement. Teachers play a significant role in our education, but they also influence many aspects of our lives such as ethics, attitude and even our career choice.

We have gifts and talents given by God, but we don’t always recognize, appreciate, or utilize those gifts until someone offers encouragement. In Hebrews: “Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”

To encourage means to inspire or fill another with courage. We hold on to our hope by trusting God and inspiring others with courage. An English teacher offered encouragement by giving me opportunities to utilize hidden talents. Becoming an encourager is more than speaking in flowery platitudes. To encourage is to inspire another with courage. As an encourager, my role is to inspire others to do far more than they ever imagined. With God’s guidance we can all be encouragers.  

Our lives are full of buried treasure, God placed within us. We spend time looking for that treasure, digging it up, and putting it into practice. Our next responsibility is to turn around and invest that same energy and talent in the lives of others as a source of encouragement, whether providing resources or providing encouragement needed to help someone pursue their dreams and exercise their talents.

An English teacher inspired me to dig deep and find my hidden talents. God continuously gives you opportunities to dig up the buried treasure within you. Then you can encourage others. Your life will never be the same.

Prayer Challenge: How can you be more of an encourager for others?