Today, I am announcing my petition to have the practice of turning our clocks back greatly expanded. Instead of just turning our literal clocks and watches back, my petition will suggest that we also adjust the clocks for the following:

All of us who are teachers on this day will turn our clocks back to the time when we were very idealistic and believed that with sincerity and devotion we could truly make a difference in our student’s lives. That would be the time when we were not afraid to try new things and there were no feelings of drudgery and duty that could swallow the joy of seeing our students experience the magic of learning. The extra sunlight would do us good.

All of us who are leaders on this day will turn our clocks back to the time when we had fresh goals and noble ambitions and our characters mattered more than our politics. The exact time to turn the clock back to is when a man’s word was his bond and a handshake was as good as a notarized contract. We would move our clocks back to before the time we became battered by the ill effects of leadership without passion, roles without purpose and routines instead revelations.

For those of us who play support roles in any endeavor my petition will include turning back our clocks as well. The exact time to turn them back to is when we were excited to be a part of a community of commonly held beliefs and we were happy to help in anyway we could, regardless if there was any credit (or profit) given to us. This would be the time when we were satisfied with knowing that we used what we had to help where we could and we left the rest to God.

Another group my petition will cover is for all of us who have settled into existing instead of abundant living. The exact time to turn these clocks back to is when we were not afraid to dream big, crazy, unheard of dreams. We would move our clocks back to the time when we didn’t focus on the obstacles that confronted us instead of the dreams that awaited us. This would be the time when every day was an adventure and our hopes for a bright future were not jaded by the realities of our present.

My above petition is flexible enough to be expanded as the need arises. I am open to adding any group that can be benefited by going back to a time when life made more sense. Now, if any of you have a connection with our governing bodies to get this petition signed into law, please let me know.  In the meantime, we can just start a grassroots movement for turning the clocks of life back one by one.

Well, I have a lot of clock adjusting to do now. I can use more daylight in my life.

Rebooting gives equipment the opportunity to reset itself to the ideal settings to carry out the ideal functions it was designed for. What happens internally is a mystery to me…but I know it works.

It seems to correspond with us in our carrying out the ideal functions we were designed for. Sometimes to move forward in our purpose we have to reboot; turn everything off and then back on. Sometimes when it’s obvious that we are not functioning at the highest level, we may need to reboot.

And it’s not just when things are not going great, but even when things are going pretty good, it would do us well to reboot; turn everything off and then back on.

The disciples were instructed to do this very thing. After Christ sent them out on their first solo mission and they experienced tremendous results, He told them to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” Mark 6:31 NIV.  Just stop and reboot. There’s more for you to do ahead and this time of reflection and refreshing is vital to your continued success.

Is it time for you to reboot?

Do you still feel a passion for your ministry?

Are you being as effective as you believe and know you can be?

Is joy a part of your life and are you able to communicate that joy with others?

Is your life going in the direction that you believe it should be going in?

Do you recognize a higher purpose to your life?

Are you still walking daily with your First Love?

If you answered no or not sure to any of the above, it’s time to reboot.  “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” John 3:8 What happens when we reboot might seem mysterious to us…but I know it works.

As teachers and leaders, the evidence is conclusive that to be most effective we must be able to grab and hold the attention of others and have a vision of taking them to places they have never been before.

Some have never seen themselves able to conquer the personal demons they wrestle with daily. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of victory?

Some do not see themselves able to live a happy life with happy relationships that rise above mere existence. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of happiness and contentment?

Some do not see how they can find a purpose to their lives and anything more meaningful than surviving from day to day. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of discovering the significance of their uniqueness?

How are we going to do this?

Our first step in this process is to realize that we don’t naturally have the answers but we know where they are found. That place is none other than the Word of God. Within its pages we find God communicating His will for our lives as well as outlining the path that all must take to live lives of the greatest fulfillment and most lasting happiness. This must be our experience and not just our theory.

Our next step is to never allow average to be acceptable. To rise higher in our abilities to serve we must intentionally expand our capabilities. If you’re the smartest and the brightest in your circle of associates, you might need to add some new friends

You can do this but it will take a firm decision on your part to be your best. It won’t happen by accident.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 The Message

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me!”

You can do this!

“We can rebuild him — we have the technology”

That’s the catch phrase from the 1970’s hit show named the 6 Million Dollar Man. (I’m dating myself ) The show was built around the bionic improvements made to a man who suffered severe injuries in an aircraft wreck. With 6 million dollars they were able to replace both of his legs, his right arm and left eye with bionic improvements of the same.

The character of the TV show, post surgery, could run at superhuman speeds, had super human strength and super human vision. In essence, he was an improved man with a greater ability to do good for mankind.

Improving on what one has is no less needed today. My lists for improvements for the New 6 Million Dollar Sabbath School Teacher are as follows:

Bionic knees – The more we pray, the better we can lead. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Spending time alone in the presence of God will do more for us and our class members than any other tool we have in our arsenal. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Bionic hands – The more we reach out to others, the stronger God makes our reach. A life of significance is one that helps make positive changes in those who need help.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. Proverbs 12:14

Bionic heart – The more we love, the more love we receive. If we truly have surrendered all, how can we be anything but loving to those around us? If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? I John 4.20

Bionic brain – The more we task the mind to understand the deep things of God, the more meaningful are our exchanges during class. Shallow thinking equals a shallow class. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalms 119.130

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”. Ephesians 3.14-19 NIV

“He can rebuild you — He has the technology”

All of us are making silent, lasting impressions upon the many people we interact with from day to day. When people reflect back upon us will they do it with a sense of gratitude for knowing us or a sense of relief that we are not in their lives?

If the members in our classes had a discussion about us 5 or 10 years from now, what would they say? Would they have fond memories from being in our class? Will they rehearse positive, helpful lessons they heard from us. Will they recall a godly example and a character worth emulating? Only we can determine that.

A lot of what makes such a lasting impact upon a person’s life is the sum of small exchanges. Many times in our pursuit of “bigger” things and more “important” matters we overlook opportunities to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Jesus disciples had this tendency. When the mothers wanted Jesus to bless their children, the disciples felt that Jesus had greater priorities. Jesus’ response has been studied and repeated throughout the ages “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:15-17

“In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake.” EGW Desire of Ages Page 515
Jesus saw the bigger picture.

I’m convinced that some of our most painful regrets in life will not be about great things we didn’t accomplish but rather about small moments of meaningful interaction with others that we let pass us by.

The saying goes “stop and smell the roses”. That’s so true but how about we also add to it “stop and SHARE the roses”?

There’s someone in your home, on your job, in your church and yes, in your class, that will be forever grateful that you took the time to stop and share some roses with them. That’s a memory you’ll never regret.

I remember a sports shoe commercial many years ago that featured Michael Jordan and Spike Lee. In the commercial Spike Lee was trying to determine what made Michael Jordan so good at the game of basketball. The key phrase used throughout the spot was “Is it the shoes?” While Michael simply answered “no” to the questions, the implication was that it was more than the shoes. Through closer investigation we learned that Michael Jordan worked tirelessly at his craft and that success was not instantaneous, but rather a process that he was dedicated to.

Similarly, when we see Sabbath School teachers that excel, we are tempted to ask in our own way, “is it the shoes?” Just what makes a person a teacher of excellence? Is it genetic? Is it the setting? Is it the topic? Or is it fate? Like Michael Jordan, teachers that excel share some of the same attributes.

Without exception, those who succeed in a particular field, whether sports, academics, professional or spiritually related all must begin at the same starting point. It is here that you can trace back the secrets of their success and it is here where many people falter.

The first step in the quest of excellence is to make the DECISION. Being able to make up one’s mind to commit to the goal and to pay the price to do it well, will separate those who excel from those who just maintain. The true force of the will has been described as “the governing power in the nature of man,–the power of decision, of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will.” Ministry of Healing 174. The mark of a true decision will be indicated by what happens after the decision is made.

Michael Jordan’s decision to excel at his craft was indicated by his daily commitment to improve. Hours spent practicing, hours spent improving his physical strength, hours spent learning the nuances of the game from past legends and daily competitors all testified that he had made a true decision to be his best.

True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God’s providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. PK486

We as teachers have great opportunities but we must ask ourselves individually, “What am I doing with my opportunities?” Am I like Michael Jordan, putting in the appropriate time to improve my skills? Am I allowing God to direct me in avenues to increase my effectiveness? Am I putting in the effort to learn from others who can elevate my level of effectiveness or am I just maintaining from week to week?

There’s no better time than today to reevaluate if you have truly made a decision to be the best at what you do. Today is a new day of opportunities. What use will you make of them?