My Conduct

Day 5, Safety

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

              Sixth grade was the year we began dressing out during gym class. Our coach assigned us lockers in the locker room during the first week and brought dress out clothes the following week. That first day, I walked toward my locker, but there was this tall, mean girl blocking my path, and she knew it. I tried reaching over her shoulder and she purposely blocked the locker. The friends she was talking to ran into the gym when the tardy bell rang and the two of us were the only ones standing in the locker room.

She stared me down, crossed her arms, and said, “What you gonna do about it, white girl?”

I suppose she was expecting a fight. “I guess I’ll stand here until you move.” I took a step back, stuck my hands in my pockets, and waited.

“Fight me.”

“Why? I have nothing against you. I just need to dress out.”

Finally, she pushed me against the lockers and walked off mumbling, “I don’t know about you, white girl.”

I waited until she left and then dressed out. But something happened after that encounter. She never picked another fight with me. In fact, she protected me from others who wanted to start something with me. I showed her my true character and that I had no reason to want to fight. My words and conduct spoke volumes to her.

Our interactions with people let them know whether we are safe or not. The way we conduct ourselves pairs with our words and people can know, sometimes instantly, what kind of person we are. As we move about in our days, our main goal should be to work as if working for God.

Our classroom interactions are the same. Students need to know that we are safe. They need to know what we say we mean and that our actions will always line up with our words. That we will be the same person when they are elementary school and once they are adults.

A thought hit me as I was pulling this devotion together. Kids are freer to be themselves when they feel safe. They sleep solidly when they feel safe. And they relax when they feel safe. Maybe the reason that kid always sleeps in your class is because he knows you’ll love him no matter what. Or maybe that kid who drives you nuts behaves that way because he is comfortable in his skin and safe in your class. Food for thought. Safety is an attractive comfort.

Do the Heart Work

1.      In what ways do your words and conduct match in your classroom? Not match?

2.      Think of someone whose conduct displays safety. What about them creates that feeling.

3.      Do you feel safe in your relationship with Christ? If so, what makes you feel that way?

Digging Deeper            

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers how to love in a godly manner. His teaching was radical for the time and promoted kindness and consideration. Jesus not only taught these commands, but he lived them too. Read Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)

                  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

If You Get Spare Time 

              If you were a student, would you feel safe in your class? Spend time in prayer and asking God to show you any areas that don’t match up to his guidelines.