Mediator

In light of so much happening in our communities, country, and world right now, I’d like to share a passage from “Called to the Classroom” for our daily reflection. We are reminded how interconnected we truly are and we have an opportunity to make a difference in our classrooms today.

“We are made to exist in a delicate network of interdependence. We are sisters and brothers, whether we like it or not. To treat anyone as if they were less than human, less than a brother or a sister, no matter what they have done, is to contravene the very laws of our humanity. And those who shred the web of interconnectedness cannot escape the consequences of their actions.” ~ Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu 

This quote by Desmond Tutu feels powerful to me. Take a moment to read it again through the lens of our communities, society, and world. 

Now, read our quote one more time through the lens of your learning space. Some of our students’ life experiences have been so divisive that unity and understanding are foreign concepts. Perhaps today, these feel like foreign concepts to you as well. I have been there. It feels uncomfortable to be divided. Something within me feels physically unsettled when I allow myself to treat someone as if they were less than human. When this happens, God shows up as my Mediator. Because He created all of us in His image, He is the link that connects us together.

We are put in positions of enormous possibility for positive impact. We may not be able to alter society’s perceptions of one another, but the way we cultivate a community within our classrooms can change everything for the learners present in that space. By Christ’s example, we are the connectors, the bridge-builders, the mediators.

(From “Called to the Classroom: Daily Reflections for Educators” Day #39: I am a Mediator)