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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Day 27

Posted on Jun 28, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

1 Corinthians 9:19-23, ESV

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
     
     Earlier this month, a Grand Rapids high school English teacher retired after fifty years. In many instances, teachers are running for the doors these days screaming just to get out of the profession. However, Sheridan Steelman’s exit was a display of tearful celebration.
 

     Two lines of students and teachers formed a tunnel through which Mrs. Steelman passed before departing the school building for the final time. The beloved seventy-one-year-old even gave a sassy twirl as she danced her way through the adoring throng. Principal Mark Thomas described his colleague as an amazing educator:

                        Her fiftieth year was as good as or better than the previous forty-nine. She never

                        mailed it in a day in her life as an educator. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an

                        educator just adjust and adapt to serve their students over the years, in order just to

                        continue to promote learning.

     Mrs. Steelman removed her desk from the classroom seven or eight years ago. She explained the change in approach by claiming, “I’m better when I can sit with my students and I can engage in the conversations and do the writing and do the work with them.”

     I believe the Apostle Paul proudly would have stood in line applauding Mrs. Steelman if he were able. In Paul’s words, this teacher has become all things to all students. She modified her teaching style over the years to meet the unique learning styles of her students. Mrs. Steelman recognized that one size or approach does not fit all. The techniques used in one era would not apply well in another.

      I, too, applaud, Sheridan Steelman for having the humility and courage to change course in the middle of her career. Psychologist, Abraham Maslow, once claimed that if the only tool one has is a hammer, then everything will appear as a nail. The reality is that every human being is unique. The manner in which we communicate and relate to one person may not work well with the next.