He must become greater; I must become less.

(John 3:30)
Courage to Do Less
We live in a culture dominated by the word more. Success is not measured
by obedience to God or by the fruit of the Spirit (peace, joy, love, patience,
kindness, etc.) one bears. Success is measured by getting more money, more
information, more square feet in your home, more friends, more cable channels,
more members in your church, more pixels on your digital camera, more minutes
on your cell phone, more power on your computer, and more miles per gallon.
Education reflects this. More children need to pass state exams. We need
more technology, more information, more programs, more team meetings, more
faculty meetings, more district meetings, more money, more paperwork, more accountability.... MORE! MORE!
MORE! Do you hear Satan screaming like a spoiled child, I demand more! Give me more! Everywhere everyone
is rushing through life seeking the illusive More which they can never catch. More has become a deity and the heart of
More is greed.
Do you see Jesus standing on the side of this busy freeway? He is holding up various signs as we pass. Slow
down! Pull over! Turn off the radio and TV! Put your cell phone down! Turn off your computer! The cars are rushing
by at such high speeds few can read the signs. Few acknowledge, except on Sunday mornings, that His directions are
even worth heeding. Can you read His lips? He is saying, Less is more. Less is more. Come follow me and I will
give you rest. I will give you peace. He is also asking us some questions, Does more and more make-up make you
more beautiful? Does more and more food make you healthier and healthier? Does more and more luggage make
your vacation better? Does more and more furniture make your house more comfortable?
A junior high math teacher, Vilma Rivera, felt like she was drowning in the More Ocean at her school. What
she was being asked to do and what she was asking herself to do were truly impossible using the time and resources
she was given. She was spending hour after hour beyond the school day preparing lessons, grading papers, attending
meetings and completing paperwork. Her joy and love of teaching had both been drowned and she was in need of
rescue and resuscitation. She was mentally and physically exhausted, totally drained. She was not physically
exercising or giving her growing family at home and her church family the time they needed.
During this period of her life, while in prayer, the Lord spoke to her heart saying, Work one hour beyond the
school day and let the rest go. Watch what I will do. At that point she was ready to try anything so she began to
obey that directive. She worked only one hour beyond the school day giving 100% to 110% effort while she was there
and then she let it go. Things werent perfect. Many things were left undone at school yet she renewed her
commitment to her family at home, the church, and the regular exercise she needed to stay healthy.
When she came back to work each day she had much more energy and a more positive attitude. She was much
more productive. Joy and creativity which had once been the trademark of her teaching style returned like a flood.
Although some things, mostly paperwork, were left undone, the quality of her lessons improved greatly. God always
gave her the time to catch up on her paperwork later. By doing less she received more.
There are numerous Biblical examples of doing less resulting in deliverance or victory. The Old Testament
warrior leader Joshua could have stormed Jerichos walls and put up siege ramps to topple the enemy, but God said,
No. God said, Less is more. God told him to march around the city, blow some trumpets and shout. Wow! It
worked! The walls fell down. Gideon, the least of his family, was called by God to be a military leader and to save his
nation from foreign invasion. He gathered over 20,000 troops to fight with him but God said, No. God said, Send
all but 300 of them home. Surround your enemy with torches and trumpets and watch what I will do. Wow! It
worked. Peter tried to protect Jesus by using the power of his sword against the enemy and cut off a soldiers ear.
Jesus said, No. Less is more. He told Peter to put up his sword and then healed the mans bleeding ear. A family
gave up their picnic lunch one day. They chose less and, as a result, Jesus fed over 5,000 people.
God cries out for obedience to Him in His schools. He cries out, Seek me first and I will add all things unto
you, such as high academic achievement. He also says, Dont believe that just by doing more you are going to get
more. Stop serving More. I will give you the courage it takes to do less. Obey me and watch what I will do.
Prayer: Lord, show us what you want us to do. Show us in what areas of our profession we need to do less.
Application: Write down one or two areas of your professional life where God wants you to do less. Obey.
Sharing: Share these areas with a close trusted Christian friend where you work. Hold each other accountable.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: TEACHER! TAKE COURAGE! (For inquiries contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 12