When I was extended this calling I had many concerns - would I be able to balance my work with my calling? Would I be too tired? Would it have a negative impact on my health? Would I have enough time to prepare my lessons?
Nonetheless, I accepted the calling. And slowly, the miracles started. Let me share just one of them:
On the Friday after my first complete week of teaching seminary, I was exhausted. It was like all my internal organs were crumbling and I was ready to collapse.
Two days later on Sunday, the closing hymn for our sacrament meeting was #86 - How Great Thou Art. As I was singing this hymn I suddenly recalled a story I had read decades ago. It was about a man who dreamt that he was walking along the beach with the Lord. As they walked, scenes from his life flashed across the sky. He noticed that sometimes there was only one pair of footprints in the sand instead of two. He also noticed that those times occurred at the lowest periods of his life. He turned to ask the Lord why this was so. Didn’t the Lord promise him that once he had chosen to follow Him, He would not leave him to walk alone? The Lord responded that during those times when there was only one pair of footprints, He had carried the man.
Then the Lord told me ‘On Friday, I carried you.’
Why do I love teaching early morning seminary?
Because I have felt the Lord carrying me, many times. And I want it to continue.
Because I feel the Spirit helping me in my calling, in my work and in my interactions with the people around me.
Because I am learning so much from the lessons.
Because I feel that all the blessings promised to those who attend seminary come to me as well.
Because I feel that the Lord is giving me spiritual experiences JIT (just in time) so that I can share them with my students to testify to them of a living and loving God, who is able and willing to take care of us.
It’s all the above and more.
Do I still have my concerns? Yes. But they no longer consume or overwhelm me.
I know it is only through God’s grace that I can do this. I am aware that I am teaching part of the Youth Battalion in Zion’s Army and I need to help them build and strengthen their armour to prepare them for ‘battle’.
This is the Lord’s work and I feel privileged and humbled to be part of it.
