Miss McKenzie

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

When I was in elementary school, a religious organization called 'Scripture Union' met every Wednesday after school. It's purpose was to reach out to kids who were unchurched, by offering them a mid-week club where they could read the Bible, sing choruses, and watch film strips about missionaries in other lands. Many of the songs that I sing with our own church kids on Sunday mornings, were ones that I learned at Scripture Union, or SU as we called it.

The meetings were led by a Miss McKenzie, who was one of the best teachers in the school. Everybody wanted to be in her class. She was strict , but absolutely fair. She was a great encourager, educator and a true example of what a Christian is meant to be. She adored children and wanted the best for everyone she taught. She knew that we were all living in a deprived area and, that for most of us, it would handicap our potential for the rest of our lives. She tried to make us see that education could liberate us from the lowliness of our environment, but more important than all of that, Miss McKenzie sought to show us that her Savior cared about all of us. Just like Paul says in his letter, she didn't preach herself, but instead talked about Jesus Christ as Lord, and that she was a servant for His sake.

When I look back forty years, I realize that I am indebted to Miss McKenzie and that any good I do now is part of her service to Christ, too. Perhaps if we get the opportunity to import our faith and our commitment to Christ to the younger generations, especially the elementary kids in our lives, then in forty years time, they will be just as thankful for what we have done as servants for Christ's sake.

If you'd like to see what SU is all about, you can visit it online at: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/

There's even a US branch of SU! Go to http://scriptureunion.gospelcom.net/

Prayer; Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing special servants into our lives, whose commitment to You encourages us to have faith. We praise You for their faith, hope and love which inspires us to become Christians. Help us to do the same in our own lives. Grant us opportunities to reach out to the young kids in our churches, schools and lives. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.