Do you believe you have been placed at your school “for such a time as this”? Of course, that famous quote comes from the story of Esther, whom God strategically placed as queen of Persia just at the right time to save His people from genocide. 

I love stories like that—times when we witness “Jehovah-sneaky” (a phrase gratefully borrowed from my friend Jesica Glover of Kingdom Educators) on full display. Esther is often cited as the only book of the Bible that doesn’t explicitly mention God, yet clearly His fingerprints are all over Esther’s story. I think Jehovah-sneaky did that on purpose—to teach us to look for His hand even when He seems absent. 

In this issue of Teachers of Vision, we are proud to share the story of a modern-day Esther: Terry Orange (read “Here I am, Lord—Send Me”). Most likely, none of us will ever be called upon to tackle a student with a gun as Terry was. However, we all share something significant in common with him—we are serving in our schools for such a time as this. 

Your placement is not an accident—even if it’s not the placement you want. If you are frustrated with where you are, ask the Lord to reveal to you His assignment for this season. Let Him shift your perspective. After all, in the Kingdom of God, you primarily work for Him, not your principal or supervisor. 

The surrender to God’s purposes in a challenging situation is often just the moment God is waiting for to bring breakthrough. This kind of surrender leads to joy in the face of challenging circumstances, like the kind Paul experienced even while in prison. It leads to peace, like what Daniel had even in the lion’s den. And it leads to a greater experience of His presence, like what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had even in the fiery furnace. Remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31, NIV). 

Is Jehovah-sneaky writing another chapter in your story? I’m sure He is, and I can’t wait to read it…maybe even here in the pages of Teachers of Vision!