Happy World Teachers' Day!

Reflecting on Psalm 1:3 for World Teachers' Day 😍

As a pastor's wife in Cambodia and university lecturer teaching Communication Skills to Cambodian youth, I often find myself reflecting on the dual roles God has called me to. Both of these roles—pastor’s wife and teacher—are about nurturing, guiding, and sowing seeds that can grow into something beautiful. With World Teachers' Day approaching, I’ve been thinking about Psalm 1:3, which says, "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." This verse speaks to me as both a wife and a teacher, and I believe it holds a beautiful truth for all of us in the teaching profession.

Psalm 1:3 gives us a picture of a strong, healthy tree, deeply rooted by streams of water. It bears fruit at the right time and never withers. In the same way, as teachers, we are called to be like that tree—nurturing our students with wisdom and knowledge, guiding them as they grow, and bearing fruit in their lives. But this doesn’t come easily. Just like the tree, we need to stay connected to our source of life, which is God, and only then can we truly flourish and be a blessing to our students.

1. Rooted in God’s Word

Being a lecturer in Cambodia, I see how our students come from different backgrounds and experiences. Many of them face challenges, whether it’s poverty, family expectations, or the pressure to succeed. As teachers, we are more than just educators; we become mentors, counselors, and sometimes even the listening ear they need in difficult times. To carry this responsibility, we need to be deeply rooted in something greater than ourselves—just like the tree planted by streams of water.

For me, being rooted in God’s Word is the key to being an effective teacher. Every day, I start with prayer and reading the Bible, asking God to give me the wisdom, patience, and love I need for the day. This is where I find my strength. As we spend time with God and His Word, we become like that tree, receiving nourishment from His presence. This nourishment helps us stay strong and not grow weary, even when the challenges of teaching feel overwhelming.

I encourage my fellow teachers to find time each day, even if it's just a few minutes, to read Scripture and spend time in prayer. As we stay connected to God, we will find that we have more to give to our students. We will have the wisdom to guide them, the patience to handle their questions and struggles, and the love to support them even when it’s hard.

2. Bearing Fruit in Season

As teachers, we often wonder whether the work we are doing is making a difference. We spend hours preparing lessons, marking papers, and explaining concepts, but sometimes it feels like the fruits of our labor are hidden. Yet Psalm 1:3 reminds us that the tree bears fruit "in season." There is a time for everything, and we may not always see the results of our efforts immediately. But in God’s perfect timing, the seeds we have planted will grow, and the fruit will come.

I remember one of my students, a young man who struggled with confidence and communication skills. During the semester, he barely spoke up in class, and I often wondered if I was reaching him at all. But at the end of the course, he wrote me a note saying how much he appreciated the encouragement and support I had given him, and that it had helped him find the confidence to speak up in other areas of his life. That moment was a reminder that God is working, even when we don’t see it. 👉 End of the semester: Grateful!

As teachers, we may not always see the fruit of our labor immediately, but trust that God is using us to plant seeds in our students’ lives. Each word of encouragement, each lesson we teach, and each moment we spend with our students is an opportunity to sow seeds of knowledge, character, and even faith. In God’s time, those seeds will bear fruit.

3. Facing Challenges Without Withering

Teaching, especially in Cambodia, comes with its own set of challenges. The education system here is still developing, and many of us face limited resources, large class sizes, and students who may not have the support they need at home. It’s easy to feel discouraged or burned out, especially when the progress seems slow or when we feel unsupported.

But Psalm 1:3 gives us a promise: "whose leaf does not wither." This means that even in difficult times, we can continue to thrive as teachers if we remain rooted in God. The challenges we face may not go away, but with God’s strength, we can persevere. Like a tree that stays green even in the dry season, we can remain strong and fruitful, no matter the circumstances.

For me, there have been seasons when I felt tired and discouraged, especially when balancing the demands of being a pastor’s wife, a mother, and a teacher. But it’s in these moments that I turn to God for strength. I remind myself that my work is not in vain, and that God sees every effort I make. He is faithful, and He will carry us through even the most challenging seasons.

4. Encouragement for Fellow Teachers

On this World Teachers' Day, I want to offer a message of encouragement to all my fellow teachers in Cambodia and around the world. God has placed us in this profession for a reason. We have been given the opportunity to shape the next generation, to inspire young minds, and to make a lasting impact in our students’ lives. This is a high calling, and we cannot do it in our own strength. But with God’s help, we can be like that tree in Psalm 1:3—strong, fruitful, and a blessing to those around us.

Remember, you are not just teaching a subject; you are teaching souls. Every day, you have the opportunity to show your students what it means to live with integrity, kindness, and love. You may be the only person in their lives who reflects Christ to them. Your words, actions, and the way you treat your students can be a powerful testimony of God’s love and grace.

I encourage you to keep sowing seeds of love, wisdom, and truth in your students’ lives, even when it feels like no one is noticing. Trust that God is using you to make a difference, and in His time, the seeds you plant will bear fruit. You may never know the full impact of your work, but God sees it, and He is faithful.

A Prayer for Teachers

Let me end with a prayer for all of us who are giving our lives to this profession:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for every teacher who has dedicated their time and energy to educating the next generation. I pray that You would give them strength, wisdom, and patience as they go about their daily tasks. Lord, remind them that their work is not in vain, but that You are using them to plant seeds of knowledge, character, and even faith in their students’ lives. Help them to stay rooted in You, so that they may be like the tree in Psalm 1:3—strong, fruitful, and a blessing to others.

Lord, for the teachers who are feeling discouraged or weary, I ask that You would refresh them and renew their strength. Let them know that You see their efforts and that You are with them every step of the way. Give them joy in their work and a heart that overflows with love for their students. And may their lives be a testimony of Your grace and goodness to all those they encounter.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we celebrate World Teachers' Day, let’s remember that God has called us to be teachers not just in the classroom, but in life. May we continue to be rooted in Him, bearing fruit in our students’ lives and being a light to those who don’t yet know the love of Christ.

Love from Cambodia,

Mrs. Rolitess 😅💪