When the going gets tough...

On these pages, some people from All Saints’ share what being a Christian means to them.

Brian Davies

“When the going gets tough... don’t go it alone.”

As a committed Christian and supply teacher working intermittently in one of our inner city areas, I found a very real application of this saying.

The situation one Friday morning could not have been more formidable and daunting in prospect. The new English teacher had lasted only two days – and gone off sick! Two supply teachers in two days had fallen by the wayside unable to contain or control the pupils and sustain classroom management. After my unwelcome phone call to provide cover that Friday morning I felt a little like Daniel awaiting the Lion’s Den – or a lamb being prepared for slaughter in the wake of such an eventful week! Wisdom should have dictated I pull the covers up over my head and stay in bed!

Later that morning at 9 o’clock I entered a classroom of Year 11s. The scene I faced only confirmed my apprehension. The noise level was several decibels above the norm, to be heard and received, even at shouting pitch. Paper missiles made from the course work for the day were strafing desks and pupils in a manner reminiscent of a bombing raid in the second World War, accompanied by Rap music from a Ghetto Blaster set on full volume.

Out of a deeply felt inadequacy and ineptitude I sat down on a chair and bowed my head in prayer – standing on the promise of James 1 verse 5, “If you need Wisdom and if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask Him, and He will gladly tell you.”

I said “Lord I have the knowledge of my subject but not the wisdom to know how to apply knowledge in this situation.” There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom - and wisdom (what to do) is greater. “Lord”, I prayed, “my eyes are on you and I’m trusting in your promise, your faithfulness and sovereignty here and now.”

What followed is very simply a testimony to God’s faithfulness. One pupil approached me and asked me what I was doing. I replied “I’m praying and asking God to help me with this class to know what to do”. The class quietened, the music was turned down to hear my reply, and then turned off. One by one the pupils began to ask questions about prayer. Does God really answer prayers? Does He care about me in the pit of despair I find myself in today?

The returning Head teacher burst into the classroom thinking I had killed the pupils – or they had killed me – it was so quiet! The Head bore testimony later that this was something he had never experienced before – and would I come again!

I was quietly thankful to God whose Wisdom, supplied in the face of no easy human situation, was entirely appropriate and adequate and in accordance with expert views on classroom practice.