Rachel Whisman

Right before I began my reading lesson, I asked one of my students to move to another carpet square. She reluctantly moved over, got settled in, then glared at the student next to her with insincerity. She snarled her nose, sat crisscrossed, and relaxed her disgruntled countenance on her hand. Murmuring under her breath, she pleasantly sighed, “Ugh, I guess I’ll sit next to her.” 

A smoldering fire soon erupted in my heart. Heat fumed within upon hearing those words. I took a slow, deep breath and sent up a prayer, “Lord, help me!” to suppress the fury of rage within. Quickly, I got the other students involved in a “turn and talk” where they discussed a question with a partner next to them. After they were settled, I directed my attention to the student and had a private discussion about her response. When we got to the end, she explained how she just couldn’t control her words and feelings. She then looked up and, with curiosity in her heart, questioned me, “Ms.Whisman, how do you do it?” 

Warmth slowly radiated its way through my cold, frozen interior because the answer to her question was the source of it all. I simply responded, “Jesus. I can’t do it by myself. I need His help.” Confusion lurked upon her face as if she was trying to connect dots that she had never seen or heard of before. I gently responded again. “Sweetie, I am not capable of doing it on my own, just like you. I need help from Jesus, and He helps me.” I could see the wheels spinning in her mind. Intrigue and bewilderment intermingled. Her only reply was, “Oh.” Slowly, she returned to her carpet spot, and I continued the lesson. 

We are not far off from my students’ response. Probably more akin to her than we would like to admit. Think about it, “how do you do it” when God directs you to go to the blue carpet square when you fervently wanted the red one? What is coursing through your veins and pulsating in your heart in those moments and seasons of life? Do you behold a grudge as she did with her reluctant, half-hearted obedience, smug face, and murmur of the tongue that sliced and left a wound? Or do you behold the Master and trust his instruction in humility and faith? 

Asking Jesus the same question, “How do you do it?” we are only left in awe and wonder. He did it perfectly, innocently, humbly, submissively, and lovingly, and continues to this day. He is the one we can rest our hope in. His power enables us through the Holy Spirit to do the things God has called us to do. Each time, we don’t ponder ourselves but turn our gaze onto Christ, and in his strength and power say, “Yet not I, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal.2:20).