The PURSE-onality Challenge: How to Respond to Snake Talk

(August 20-31 I'll be blogging my way through I Blame Eve: Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues, & the Tendency to Listen to Talking Snakes by Susanna Foth Aughtmon and giving away a copy each week! You can enter the drawing via the Rafflecopter at the end of each blog post or right here.)

“...this talking snake really sounds like he know what he’s talking about. Before we know it, we can be charmed by the snake and his twisted truths. All too quickly, we forget the words of the Creator and start listening to the words of the snake.…”

Susanna Foth Aughtmon, I Blame Eve:Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues, & the Tendency to Listen to Talking Snakes

Yesterday was the first day of school.

I’d finished all lesson prep Sunday night so I could focus on people in the morning.

I’m so achievement-oriented, I’ve gotta remind myself daily: I don't teach English; I reach individuals.

So I got up early Monday to pray for my students by name.

Did I have the perfect first day of school?

Not by a long shot.

As each class came and left, for blissfully short 25-minute orientation periods, I felt more and more overwhelmed. Less and less adequate.

You’re not prepared enough.

You’re too old.

You didn’t make eye contact with everyone.

You’re too formal.

You’re not warm enough.

You’re too much of a global abstract thinker.

You’re not extroverted enough.

And on.

Daniel came home and told me that the juniors and seniors love our new English teacher, which is the best possible news. It’s what’s best for the students, for the school, for her.

That means they like her better than you.

That means she’s better than you.

That means you’re no good.

And on.

I totally identify with Andrew’s question about the five loaves and two fishes brought to Jesus: “But what are these among so many?” (John 6:9)

What am I among so many students?

I’m not ___ enough.

I am too ____.

I’m not as good at ___ as ___.

This is snake talk.

John 6 is not about five loaves and two fishes.

My call to teaching is not about me.

John 6 is about Christ taking a small personal offering and doing Kingdom-sized things with it.

Teaching is about Christ taking me, each day, and doing Kingdom-sized things with me and through me.

But you’re…

Enough.

I recognize snake talk.

I know where it leads.

And I know what to do with snake talk:

Back talk.

Not "talk back."

Turn around, and let my back talk.

“There is only one thing to be done….Do the thing that Eve forgot to do. Run. Run back to the One who formed you with his hands.”

Your Turn:

When do you tend to hear snake talk?

How do you tend to respond to snake talk?

What would help you "talk back" less and back talk more?

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