In the courtroom...

As another week draws to a close, with it come many lessons learnt. Lessons which at the time seem far from easy, yet they are lessons none the less, lessons which are important and valuable if progress is to made in the classroom of life. Thankfully, knowing that there is a teacher of the highest credentials behind the scenes, the Omnipotent Lord of the universe, makes the lessons that little bit easier to fathom. From my limited experience of teaching, the students rarely enjoy the more challenging lessons. If they had there way, they would opt for games every time! However, when you think about it, if they played games every week, would they make any progress in their English? Probably not. More often than not, if progress is to made, hard work is required.

The lesson I have been learning is that of 'decision resting'. Making a decision about something and then resting in that decision. Not wriggling it around in my head, thinking should I have done this, or should I have done that, but resting with the decision made. What is this decision I hear you ask?

The context involves classroom discipline. One of my classes, lovely though they are, do require a little bit more control when it comes to the classroom. I've been rocking my brain thinking how to do this as past attempts have proven futile.

Over the weekend, it seemed I had created the ideal behaviour strategy and so there I was cometh the hour ready to implement my new found tactics. Things were going well, and the strategy not only seemed to be helping the students manage their behaviour, but also gave me clearer control in policing my classroom expectations. Until 15 minutes to the end that is. One student stepped over the mark and so I made the decision to implement the consequence of such an action. Thinking this fair and reasonable, it was very clear however that his response to my decision was emotional. As I explained post-lesson my reason for issuing him a warning, his tears made it quite evident that he felt hard done by. I then heard his side of the story and found myself beginning to question my decision. Yet, upon reflection, regardless of tears, regardless of my wavering popularity with this child, he must learn that he is responsible for his actions. Every choice brings with it a consequence.

Coincidently, I am currently watching the TV series Judge John Deed. I say coincidently because I really find it amazing how the High Court Judge finds rest in his decisions (far more weightier than mine). His reasoning is that there is a law to uphold, and he is just as subject to this law as anyone else. Perhaps in some ways there is a comparison to be found. In my classroom there is a law to uphold, expectations I have set on how the students must behave. I am just as subject to this as the students. More so, because when they fail and fall short of these expectations, I am the one who passes judgement. As soon as I allow my concern for self-preservation, popularity and desire to please direct these judgements, the whole process collapses. Fairness and consistency is key!

In light of my personality type (INFJ) such incidents of conflict in decision making is something that intuitively puts me at unease. However, I am thankful for opportunities to grow in this area, and learn how to above all be an instrument of change in the lives of my students. Yes, they may feel hard done by, yes, they may prefer to just have it there own way, but my prayer is that in the future they will thank me for staying the course, and holding the line. Time will only tell.

I am reminded of how in the gospel we see another courtroom at work. Our sin means that we do not and cannot follow the expectations God has laid before us in His Law. All of us fall short of God's standards, unable to fulfil the Law set before us. Thanks be to God that there is one who has obeyed the Law perfectly - Jesus Christ.   

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
                                                                                                        Colossians 2:13-14    

We were dead because of the record of debt that stood against us due to our failure to meet the expectations of God's Law. Jesus - not only met these expectations by living a perfect life, he took upon himself our record of debt, accepting the consequence we deserve - death. And now, the verdict is in - not guilty! Our debt has been paid, we are free!

In an article by Paul Blackham, he comments on the cross of Christ saying:

The Cross shows us how Divine sovereignty and human responsibility collide.  Whereas the human wicked intention was to destroy the Author of Life, yet our Gracious Father’s intention was to freely save humanity… even the very people who nailed Jesus to the Cross.

The sovereign power of God, then, did not over-rule the injustice of the Cross.  Rather, precisely through the injustice of the Cross, another work of injustice was accomplished… the salvation of people who deserve only Hell.

Hallelujah what a Saviour!