For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Recently I read about the “Parable of the Pencil” in Joseph Shushko’s book which I mentioned last year. He gives credit for the parable to R. Brault. Perhaps you can share this with your class sometime to help them realize their potential. Thankfully one of our colleagues bought each of us a copy of his book: Tie-Ins For Life: Stories that Teach Great Values and Inspire Moral Action. Colonel Shusko will be with us at the Leadership Gathering in May. Here is the link to register: http://vbmb.org/events/lg/ We will have a Saturday session for all SS Workers that will be totally age graded.
The pencil maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him in the box. “There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”
“One: you will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hands.”
“Two: you will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.”
“Three: you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.”
“Four: the most important part of you will always be what is inside.”
“And five: on every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with a purpose in his heart.
Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you have been born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.
The average pencil is 7” long with just a half inch eraser- in case you thought optimism was dead.
Here is my interpretation for you:
One: abide in Christ and allow God to hold you as you lead. (By the way, you should be mentoring someone else as well as part of your responsibility. Let them see Jesus in you!)
Two: allow others to see that hardships are a part of life…so is discipline in order to prepare us to be mature Christians even in the difficult times.
Three: (I John 1:9) God does forgive our mistakes, but expects us to change and not continue in the same mistakes.
Four: You are not alone in your ministry. You have a higher power to lead. Allow the Spirit of God to lead!
Five: Leave your mark with each person you meet and in all you do. Let Christ shine through!
Yes there is more lead in the pencil than eraser. You can leave an incredible mark in your life through Christ. Jesus said: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 NIV)
Go make your mark!
tonystopic 