Three Points of Contact
A few years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a mission trip to an indigenous people’s village in Mato Grosso, Brazil. We conducted a vacation Bible school, built an open-air church, and revamped a medical building. It was a blessing to serve the people and work with them in their village.
After the long hours and days of working, we stayed in Brazil a few more days for recreation. One activity included hiking down a treacherous hill and walking behind the veil of a waterfall. I was the oldest and least athletic member of our group, but I did not let that hold me back. I was determined to complete this daunting activity but would never have done so without the help of one of the pastors who was traveling with us.
The trip down to the base of the waterfall proved to be a tough one for me. I was stung by some type of unknown insect and got a bruise the size of a golf ball under my upper arm.
We reached the bottom and proceeded to cross behind the veil of the waterfall. The rocks were very wet and slippery and by the time we reached the center of the waterfall hundreds or maybe thousands of gallons of water were pouring down on our heads.
The pastor who was helping me cross kept saying, “Keep three points of contact. Three points of contact.” One of my points of contact was him who held my hand and practically dragged me across when I never thought I’d make it.
The idea of keeping three points of contact can be applied to other areas of life as well. I would like to suggest that three points of contact for teachers could be a relationship with God, balance between personal and professional life, and healthy relationships with others.
To lead and guide students in their spiritual walk, it is imperative that teachers take the time to grow and develop their relationship with God. This includes personal devotion and prayer as well corporate worship and prayer in school and church.
Teaching is a tough profession, and one will burn out quickly if they do not maintain a balance between their personal and professional life. A teacher’s work is never done, so it is important to just stop at times. Praise God for the Sabbath!
There is nothing more important than building healthy relationships in education. A teacher should strive to develop positive relationships with students, parents, co-workers, administrators, and others. Communication is key to developing these healthy relationships.
I did make it to the other side of the waterfall, back again, and up the hill to where the comfy seat in the air-conditioned bus awaited me. Keep three points of contact, and you too will accomplish the task at hand!