Many of my colleagues were exhausted and tried hard not to fall asleep in the talk this afternoon but to no avail. Our eyes were very heavy because we had been slaved since 8:30 in the morning. Our boss wanted to occupy every single minute of ours in today's Staff Development Day. He wanted to take control over all our time. Perhaps he thought that we would not manage our time well. Only he knew best how we should spend our time.
We had two Staff Development Days within September, a particularly hectic month in the academic year. Perhaps his intention was good. He would like us to pick up all the skills in these workshops and apply them in our classes early in the academic year. He thought that the skills promoted by the speaker were useful for us. Alas! We, teachers from six schools, were forced to sit in a school hall and listen to the same man for three times, at least three hours each.
Perhaps the gentleman was capable to entertain a small group of principals, or even the middle managers of the participating schools. However, when he came to meet an audience of more than three hundred notorious students --- teachers, he was stretched beyond his capabilities. No doubt, he had prepared a lot and had his own ideals and visions. Yet, facing more than three hundred cynical students, this gentleman would feel more like being publicly tortured than sharing some tips for teaching students of mixed abilities. Each one of us has our own style. What has been practicable for him might not be practicable for us. I am not him. We don't have his charisma.
We had two Staff Development Days within September, a particularly hectic month in the academic year. Perhaps his intention was good. He would like us to pick up all the skills in these workshops and apply them in our classes early in the academic year. He thought that the skills promoted by the speaker were useful for us. Alas! We, teachers from six schools, were forced to sit in a school hall and listen to the same man for three times, at least three hours each.
Perhaps the gentleman was capable to entertain a small group of principals, or even the middle managers of the participating schools. However, when he came to meet an audience of more than three hundred notorious students --- teachers, he was stretched beyond his capabilities. No doubt, he had prepared a lot and had his own ideals and visions. Yet, facing more than three hundred cynical students, this gentleman would feel more like being publicly tortured than sharing some tips for teaching students of mixed abilities. Each one of us has our own style. What has been practicable for him might not be practicable for us. I am not him. We don't have his charisma.
God knew the spiritual needs of the remnant. He ordered them to resume the project of rebuilding the Temple. For various reasons, all the returned Jews minded their personal business rather than working together to rebuild the Temple. For their benefits, God commanded them to put down their current work, pick up the building project.
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;
and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.
The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts(Haggai 2:6-9)
Once again, does God need those silver and gold? Of course not. Eventually, they would belong to the Jews. Does God need the glory and splendor of the Temple? Of course not. The glory and splendor would only boost up the national identity of the Jews, stir up their patriotism.
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;
and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.
The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts(Haggai 2:6-9)
Once again, does God need those silver and gold? Of course not. Eventually, they would belong to the Jews. Does God need the glory and splendor of the Temple? Of course not. The glory and splendor would only boost up the national identity of the Jews, stir up their patriotism.
Perhaps our boss wants to play God, trying to control over our time like God had commanded the remnant to rebuild His Temple. But he is no God and we have no time. Our boss has introduced many new procedures. We find them disruptive as well as unproductive. Many teachers find themselves working until very late but still cannot perform some basic professional obligations --- marking exercise books. Give us more time, not procedures please.
Dear Lord, forgive me for being candid. For the first time, I feel very tired to continue writing. Strengthen us. Amen.
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