” Better is open rebuke than hidden love (Proverbs 27:5).”
As a teacher, it is important to me that the atmosphere in my class is positive. If I am unhappy or my students are sourpusses, then teaching and learning becomes difficult.
It was with this in mind that I went about confronting an issue regarding the atmosphere in a particular class today. I had heard it through the grapevine that a couple of my students weren’t happy. The reasons were vague, and they had not approached me about their issues. But with the intelligence I had received, I knew it was only a matter of time before the atmosphere in my class became stale, or worse.
So I walked into class today and wrote the word “complaints” on the board. The complaints table was open for business. I told them I wanted to hear any complaints they had, that I had got wind that there were some, and I wanted to know what they were.
We had a good discussion that cleared the air. None of the complaints were earth shattering or horrific, as I expected them to be. When I left class today, I felt much better about my relationship with those students.
There are some interesting spiritual correlations to my situation in class today. For example, God wants me to pay attention to the condition of those for whom I am responsible. At work, my students are my charges, the people God has given to me to minister to on the job, and from a practical perspective, the source of my livelihood. So it was important for me to know and deal with the condition of my little flock (Proverbs 3:22-27).
In my case, I saw a time bomb at work in my class. So it was prudent for me to not ignore the problem. A spiritual man does something when danger is approaching (Proverbs 3:12).
In addition, God wants me to not be afraid to ask for and accept a little advice once in a while. This is not easy for me. My pride gets in the way. But if I seek the opinions of others, even negative ones, then I benefit. The wise man of Proverbs says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (Proverbs 3:17).”
My students are in my care. They (or their sponsors) pay good money to get the training they receive. If I take care of them, then my employer will take care of me and my family (Proverbs 3:18).
I do not easily confront others. Nor do I care much for criticism. But it’s interesting that the Bible says that open communication of a corrective nature is better than love that is under wraps. Maybe it’s because the transparent, mature reproof, characterized by caring and gentleness, is really true love.
Wow!