For those of you in education, you are coming to the close of another school year. Your students are likely very restless and ready for a break. Many of you are dreaming of the last day of school, as well. Educating students seven hours a day for 180 days is filled with meaning and purpose, but it is also extremely challenging and tiring work. Just being in a classroom filled with children and young people for hours on end is a test of endurance that many people have never experienced.

Some of you may be facing burnout and are wondering if you can do this for another year. Others are likely wondering if all this hard work is really making an ultimate difference in the lives of your students. Rarely will you see the impact of your work as an educator until many years after the students have left your classroom. With all this in mind, I want to give you a few thoughts to help you remain steadfast on the mission God has given you. 

First, if you’re bone tired right now, you are absolutely normal! If you are doubting yourself and your ability to really make a difference, welcome to the family. If you are frustrated with something about your school, your parents, or your students, you are no different than thousands of other teachers or administrators. If you wish things were different in your home life, finances, etc., just know that almost every other educator has these same concerns. 

Giving children a biblical worldview through the avenue of formal education is messy, tough and never happens in a straight line. There are no educational settings where everything is easy. Giving children a biblical worldview makes you a special target of Satan and he has one goal. His goal is to prevent you from fulfilling this amazing calling God has placed on your life. 

No one on earth is doing anything greater than giving a child a biblical worldview. So, if you're at your wit's end or you're just really, really exhausted, I encourage you to take the following steps this summer: 

1. Take the time to decompress. You need to take at least two full weeks to do as little as possible. Clear your schedule. Sleep in. Get away from text and email for days on end or only look at them once per day for a week or so. Rest so much that you start feeling lazy. I have found that when I take the time to decompress, my energy and passion are slowly but surely renewed, and my creativity returns. 

2. Do something that you love to do but don’t get to do as an educator. Allow your mind to focus on things outside the realm of education. 

3. Spend copious amounts of time with your family and friends. 

4. After a few weeks off, start reading or listening to something that will renew your passion for the call God has given you. In my new book, Saving Our Children in a World Gone Crazy, I have one entire section that focuses on why Christian education is so important. If you want to watch or listen to a speech on the subject, I will be happy to send you a link at no cost. Just send an email to Judy Ralph at [email protected] and let her know I told you we would send you one of my speeches at no cost. She will send you something to encourage you. 

I believe you, as a Christian educator, are a hero of the faith. The impact of your work is immense in this world and for all eternity. It will only be fully revealed in eternity, though. Satan wants to discourage and defeat you, but Christ loves you, is proud of you, and has a much greater desire and ability to help you accomplish the calling He has given you.

Thank you for your service to Christ, families, and children. I am praying today for everyone who will read this article and asking the Lord to love you and care for you in every way possible.

*This article originally appeared in The Renewanation Review® magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted here by permission of RenewaNation. For more information regarding RenewaNation, visit renewanation.org.