Compassion for the Massess

Zech 10:2 says that people are lost sheep with no shepherd because the listen to the voices of their household Gods. Matthew 9:36 says when Jesus looked at the crowds, he saw their depression, dejection, and despair, and that they looked like sheep without a shepherd.

Many of my students are very much like that. They are so filled up with their daily soap operas (some of which are genuinely tragic), they cannot learn what I am trying to teach them. For whatever reason, they don't study...and they cannot learn what I teach -- mathematics -- unless they spend lots of time studying on their own...after I have tried to help them.

I get very irritable with them. I believe they know what they should do but just refuse to do it. My attitude is very counterproductive to teaching and learning success. In fact, that attitude is counterproductive to job longevity.

I pray to God in the name of Jesus to give me Jesus' attitude toward the masses. He felt compassion at how lost and needy they were. Matthew doesn't say he FIXED them all, just that he was moved with compassion.

Jesus, please touch me and fill me up with Jesus' compassion for my students.

Jumping In

I've made a decision to jump into the Kingdom. I've cancelled my cable because TV was too distracting. Now, here I am.