Megan French

About Megan French

Megan French is the Central Middle School Director for Love Church. Her other day job is teaching 8th grade English at Ronald Reagan Middle School. She is passionate about reading, writing, and boy bands.

Posts by Megan French:

July 29 2021

The Real Questions

Megan French Blog, Contributor, new

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovewinchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheRealQuestions.jpeg” title_text=”TheRealQuestions” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium” sticky_enabled=”0″]I’ve gained this reputation in a lot of my social circles for being “real”. Perhaps it comes from the season of my life where my most common sermon commentary was, “That’s real.” Or perhaps it comes from the fact that I’ve been very vocal about topics that were historically taboo like mental health in the church. Or maybe it’s because I’m the wet blanket in youth planning meetings who is asking what I like to call, “The Real Questions.” Like sure, giving students sparklers during a youth baptism night SOUNDS like a good idea and would look really cool in pictures, but have you ever met a middle schooler? It’s for this reason that I love characters like Thomas and Gideon; they ask the real questions.

Gideon doesn’t have quite the negative reputation that “Doubting Thomas” does (justice for Thomas – clear his name!), but he is known for asking God for a sign not once, but twice and even some clarifying questions a few times before that. Some may see this as doubt, but I see this as authentic. He’s exercising that kind of real-life faith that we all have experienced in one season or another. The kind that has questions for God because life isn’t quite so neat right now.

An angel shows up while Gideon is hiding because of Israel’s enemy; the enemy had become so powerful that Gideon had to hide to thresh wheat just so they wouldn’t steal it. And this angel has the nerve to say, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12). This man is hiding in a winepress by himself threshing wheat, and the angel has the nerve to not only call him a “Mighty hero” but also to remind him that the Lord is with him.

You ever had the truth of God directly contradict what you see right in front of you? I imagine that’s exactly what Gideon was thinking. I imagine him looking behind him on the left and then to the right and then back at the angel with a dumbfounded look on his face before saying,

13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” (Judges 6:13)

Like, yes, Gideon! Thank you! These are the real questions.

You ever had the truth of God directly contradict what you see right in front of you?

If God is with me, then why is my family falling apart? If God is with me, then why am I drowning in debt barely able to provide for my family? If God is with me, then why have I been praying about the same thing for 10 years with little to no breakthrough? If God is with me, then why can’t I stop feeling so anxious?

Where are these miracles the Bible talks about? Where are these miracles that I’ve heard my fellow believers speak about?

These are the real questions we all have and honestly, I feel like God expects them from us because as humans we have such a limited understanding, but it doesn’t mean he gives us the full game plan as an answer either.

What the angel said next was so crucial to me, and it reminded me a lot of the grace we are met with when we ask God these kinds of questions. He said, “Go with the strength you have.” That was his answer to Gideon’s questions. No reason why, no specific directions, just, “Go with the strength you have.” And I love that he didn’t say, “Go with great strength,” he just said, “with the strength you have.” Because I imagine for Gideon after constant, day after day defeat from the Midianites, he was exhausted, and you are too, aren’t you? After trudging along in the same struggle day after day, you probably don’t have much strength. That’s ok, neither do I, but you don’t have to have a lot. Keep going and go with the strength you do have. God is really good at filling in our gaps especially where strength is concerned. It’s like He’s got an unlimited supply of it or something.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovewinchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MeganPic.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovewinchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovewinchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” sticky_enabled=”0″]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

April 22 2021

Just Keep Swimming

Megan French Blog, Contributor, new

I’m probably dating myself with this reference, but a few years ago (read: close to 20. Heck, how was 2004 so long ago?!), there was this Geico commercial series with the tagline, “So easy, a caveman could do it!” Essentially, Geico was promoting their product to suggest that their process of getting car insurance was so easy that even someone so prehistoric could accomplish it in our modern world. In other words, “If a caveman could do it, why haven’t you yet?”

I genuinely think this is how we can present Christianity sometimes, specifically the area of relationships. We “sell” it in a way that almost suggests that if we just do these things and pray these prayers, the rest is smooth sailing. Easy as 1-2-3! Admittedly, I used to think this too until I actually tried it…year after year…with no successes and a litany of disappointments. I read the books and prayed the prayers, but it just wasn’t that easy for this cavewoman. I don’t know about you, but in my experience, living for Jesus is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, “Do I love Jesus enough to give Him my entire life even if it’s hard, or am I only willing to do so if it’s easy for me?”

Sure, salvation is not complicated in nature, but what comes after sure is. Much like our caveman friend, living for Jesus is a bit like living in a foreign country; a fish out of water if you will. In fact, culture has deemed Christianity and its standards as too “prehistoric” for a modern world, and as such, we are swimming against the current of society as followers of Jesus.

Let’s not sugarcoat it here: swimming against the current of society is incredibly difficult and extremely exhausting. Truthfully, it would almost be easier to just go with the flow and do what everyone else is doing. Problem with that is, we believe in the Bible and the Bible is very clear that being a committed follower of Jesus isn’t something you can do halfway, nor does it change to fit culture’s fickle standards. In fact, Jesus is pretty clear that Christianity is something that will make us stand out rather than blend in. Therein lies the tension: it would be easier to live like the world does, but God didn’t call us to easy.

The crux of the matter is that God is very clear about His standards for partnership while the world has made their standards increasingly vague. For me, dating as a Christian in 2021 is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack: they say it’s in there, but there’s a LOT to sift through, it’s incredibly frustrating, sometimes the hay looks deceptively like a needle, and it really just seems impossible. Still, does that difficulty mean that we can throw in the towel on our standards? Do we tell God, “I tried to live your way, but, sorry, it’s just not working out for me, dawg,” (to be read in a Randy Jackson voice)? No, that’s not how it works, but that doesn’t mean the struggle isn’t real.

See, experiencing difficulty in living the Christian life doesn’t dismiss us from its responsibilities and standards and this includes our relationships. When we decide to follow Jesus, we are actively giving Him our entire life; it’s a sacrifice. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about it, but sacrifices are messy, and they cost you something. In fact, I’d argue it wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice at all if it didn’t cost you quite a bit. So, yes, living out Jesus’s standards in today’s society is hard. I will not lie to you about that, and I am struggling right along with you. But it’s important to remind ourselves that it is a sacrifice; it’s not supposed to be easy. But at the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, “Do I love Jesus enough to give Him my entire life even if it’s hard, or am I only willing to do so if it’s easy for me?”

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February 25 2021

Running on Fumes

Megan French Blog, Contributor, new, Trust

I have to admit something to you, dear reader: right now, my “hope tank” is running on fumes. As I prepared to write this week, all I could think was, “How on Earth am I supposed to encourage people when I, myself, feel so incredibly discouraged?”

I don’t share this with you for sympathy or for any selfish gain. Quite the opposite, actually. I share this because the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there can be power in discouragement; it really just depends on what we do with it.

If anyone knew discouragement, it was David. We talk a lot about David before he was anointed and then we talk a lot about David and his less than stellar decisions when he finally became king, but really, I imagine the wait during those two bookend events was rather dark. I mean think about it: David had been given a promise and an anointing from God after being overlooked for so long. Finally! Someone saw him and not just anyone, the God of the universe. He had hope. He knew where God was taking him, but after the years started to stack up, at best, it really seemed like God was taking a whole lot of backroads to get there. Bumpy, rocky, dangerous backroads. Frankly, if I was David, I’d wonder if God had really been the One behind all of this after all or if that old guy, Samuel, got it wrong and wasted all that oil on the wrong guy. Because when you consistently have people trying to kill you for what God called you to, you have to wonder, “God what the heck are you doing here?”

The presence of opposition isn’t a sign that you’ve been disqualified from God’s ultimate purpose for your life.

You might not have people actively trying to kill you, but in some area of your life, you probably have a great deal of opposition threatening to discredit what God has promised. It’s important to remember though that even though he always seemed to find himself in precarious situations, David was called, “A man after God’s own heart.” This encourages me because it shows me that the presence of opposition isn’t a sign that you’ve been disqualified from God’s ultimate purpose for your life. Because despite all of David’s troubles – both those that he brought on himself and those that he didn’t — it was from his lineage that the Hope of the World was born.

Still, you have to wonder if David ever thought about giving up. It had to be exhausting doing the same thing to fight for your life every single day year after year only to be met with more of the same thing when you opened your eyes the next day. You have to wonder if he ever thought, “What’s the point?”

But what if David had given up and let Saul kill him? What if he had given up and just gone back home to tending sheep? What would the lineage of Jesus be like? Would there be a lineage at all? Furthermore, what would our hope be without Jesus? That’s a sobering thought.

But that’s not what David did; David let his discouragement bring him closer to God.

See, the decision you choose to make in the midst of your discouragement is about more than just you. And regardless of how hopeless it seems, you always have a choice to make when you are discouraged: you can choose to let discouragement be the end of your journey, or you can choose to let your discouragement be the fuel that propels you into the arms of the Father. I know which one seems easier, but which one will be worth it in the long run? Not just for you, but for those who will come after you. Choose that one. The fumes of hope can still move you forward. It might be ugly, and it might be slow, but forward is forward. Keep going.

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February 4 2021

I Just Work Here

Megan French Contributor, new

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is the way my students see me. Although they can sometimes be brutally honest, they truly believe I know the answer to everything simply because I’m a teacher. This is especially true when it comes to matters of our school. They tend to think that I know the reasoning behind every decision that has been passed through our administration just because I work there. Problem is, I don’t have that level of clearance; I’m not an administrator. It’s hard for them to understand, so usually I answer using a phrase I stole from my coworker: “I don’t know; I just work here.”

As seemingly dismissive as it may be, it’s actually really revolutionized my outlook on how much control I actually have in my workplace which has really decreased my stress level. So much so that I use it in virtually every arena of my life. In fact, I have to remind myself of this quite frequently when I wonder about what God is up to in my life.

See, control is a mirage. It’s something we think we have and looks attainable, but when we get close enough to grasp it, we realize it was really an illusion the whole time; we really don’t have control over all the things we think we do especially when they involve things outside of ourselves. But the thing about being a Christian is that this is both a great thing for us and a really inconvenient thing for us all at the same time.

On one hand, we can rest in knowing that God has control over our lives, and this is good because He’s omniscient which is basically just a fancy way of saying that He is actually what my students think I am: all knowing. So, if anyone’s qualified for control, it’s Him.

Simply put, God says, “Relax. I know that you are worried about that thing, but your job is to choose to trust me, my job is to come through.”

The problem is, just because we know God has control doesn’t make us magically “ok” with the fact that we can’t change the things in our world that we would so desperately like to change. In other words, if your world is falling apart you can know that God is in control and still struggle with doing everything you can to anxiously try to right what’s wrong. Congrats, that would make you a normal human being. But can I encourage you today with a simple thought? A lot of times, the outcome really isn’t up to you.

Pastor Josh says a version of this so often that it reverberates in my subconscious from time to time (thanks, Pastor), “Obedience is up to you, outcome is up to God.” My favorite part about this is that it is simple, but it reminds me of what is actually within my control: myself.

Psalms 25:3a says, “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced…” and it’s a concept that we see echoed throughout the entire Bible; the people of God who trust in Him and are obedient to what He is asking of them are not put to shame. That’s a promise.

Simply put, God says, “Relax. I know that you are worried about that thing, but your job is to choose to trust me, my job is to come through.”

So, when God calls us to do hard things like tithe even though we are already living paycheck to paycheck, sacrifice our time for other people when we feel like we don’t have any to give, love and pray for the person who is doing everything in their power to push us away, or God forbid, hold our tongue on Facebook, we can rest in the knowledge that we have control over that. We have control over our choices. We have control in whether or not we choose to give, choose to love, or choose self-control. As far as what happens as a result of that choice? Remind yourself of your role in the workplace of God’s Kingdom, “I don’t know; I just work here.”

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December 22 2020

Breathe Easy

Megan French Contributor, new

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovewinchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BreatheEasy.jpg” title_text=”BreatheEasy” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]This may be a bold statement, but I would argue that both reading and writing are two of the most important practices in our faith. Think about it. The entire Bible was written. Like physically written down. Those authors were inspired by God, yes, but they had to have the knowledge to take their God given thoughts and inspirations and put pen to paper (or however they wrote things thousands of years ago). Because of that, for thousands of years, we have had a text which we continuously read and re-read in order to make sense of and thus live out our faith. In short, without reading and writing, I dare say our faith would be nearly impossible to live out.

Although the Bible is not looking for new submissions, I believe this same principle still exists in the body of Christ. It’s why for centuries people of God around the world have continued writing about the things of God. There are millions of books, podcasts, songs, and articles all centered around the Word of God and how it applies to our lives, and that, too, is necessary for our faith because even though the world around us changes, the Word of God stays the same. But as the world changes and sometimes gets more complex, sometimes we need some help and encouragement figuring out how that actually looks practically in our lives.

This is the primary reason that this Love Church blog exists. The blog is a place where we can work out the word of God as it relates to the current climate of our lives in the here and now. It’s a place where we can find a relevant word of encouragement and hope from God in season.

This may be a bold statement, but I would argue that both reading and writing are two of the most important practices in our faith.

One of my favorite things about the resurgence of our blog this year is how much encouragement it’s brought to me both as a writer and as a reader. Each entry had a role in helping me navigate the various perils of 2020, and some days it was what kept me going and fueled me with hope and encouragement even when I couldn’t seem to find any. I imagine that I am not alone in that sentiment.

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to take over as the Blog Coordinator for Love Church. Not many people know this, but to me, it’s a sacred opportunity that God has been stirring in me for some time now.

About five years ago, I prayed this incredibly naïve prayer. I asked God to give me the opportunity to write like David. Being an Enneagram 4 and a fan of all things literary, the Psalms has always spoken deeply to my soul, and I wanted to write like that. Problem is, in order to write as the Psalmist does, you have to endure what the Psalmist endures. Didn’t know I was praying for that part! I’ve had my fair share of storms over the course of the last five years and not one of them has been easy, but what has been consistent throughout all of them is that writing has helped me to hear the voice of God. Sometimes I write for myself, but many times the things God shares with me have been able to encourage others as well. I’ve been able to encourage others on my own personal blog in ways I didn’t even know I could.

That same passion and energy is what I hope for the Love Church blog as we head into the New Year. My hope for this blog is that the words of our team, centered around the Word of God, will shine a light into the darkest places in your life and help you through your most desperate times.

They say reading is like breathing in and writing is like breathing out. May the words we share be like a breath of fresh air to your spirit.

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October 27 2020

You Had One Job

Megan French Contributor, new Love

There’s a phrase that’s become quite colloquial in the Age of Memes: “You had one job.” Ultimately, what the trend equates to is a surprising number of examples of seemingly simple tasks that were done poorly. The irony is that the task is so simple, yet the execution is so poor. How could someone get it so wrong? It’s so ridiculous that it’s laughable. We often separate ourselves from those people because we think they must be another breed of human entirely to make that sort of mistake. But honestly, as Christians, this is more like us than we’d care to admit.

2 John 1:5-6 says, “I am writing to remind you, dear friends that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and He has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”

Have you ever wondered what your job is as a Christian? It’s right there, plain as day. Love means doing what God says. And John, with all of the exasperation of someone who has to repeat themselves constantly (I feel you, John), points out that what God says isn’t complex; it’s actually quite simple and it hasn’t changed. God says to love people. Period. Full stop. That’s our one job.

We have one job. Just one. We are called to love people. But it isn’t quite that simple is it? No, God’s brand of love is much harder for humans who are prone to selfishness – which is probably why He gave us only one job as Christians. He knew it would be hard for us. But why is it so hard to accomplish our one job?

God says to love people. Period. Full stop. That’s our one job.

I think it’s because love is like looking into a mirror. When we look into a mirror, we often either see what we want to see, or only see what’s wrong. Loving others is the same way and depending on our perspective, love shows us the degree to which we are like Christ, and it shows us just how much we fall short and what a long way we have to go. Both are equally valid and can co-exist, but I suspect many of us are intimidated by imperfection. We are intimidated by just how much we fall short on loving others that we end up stopping short of our one job as Christians. We give up because we can’t get it right. It’s too hard.

And yes, it is hard! Jesus loved people who were vastly different from Him. He served sinners regardless of their social status even though people should really have been serving Him. He lovingly confronted the very people who were trying to kill Him. He died for a world who rejected Him just to offer the chance to choose Him. His love is impossible to replicate – but it is possible to imitate.

You want to be more like Christ? Do what He does. Love that person, yes, but better yet, love them regardless of their political beliefs. Love them regardless of what they’ve done to you. Love them regardless of how they receive that love. Love them regardless of receiving anything in return. Love them anyway. Love people without expectations because that’s what Jesus did for us. It’s our one job.

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August 11 2020

Deceptively Heavy Weights

Megan French Contributor

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Going to the gym is really fun until it’s not. I know some of y’all actually enjoy working out, and although that sounds fake to me, that’s fine; you do you! I am not one of those people though. I work out because I don’t want to die an early death due to a sedentary lifestyle, but don’t be deceived: I hate every second of it.

Nonetheless, one of the things I’ve learned from working out is that I think I’m a lot stronger than I actually am. In my exercise classes, we are often instructed to pick out a set of hand weights that best fit our needs and personal strengths. The thing about hand weights is that they’re incredibly deceptive. Sure, they’re only 4 pounds each when you carry them into the classroom but multiply that by all the reps you do in exercise class along with the rest of your body weight and they might as well be 40 pounds each. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to scale down my hand weights halfway through the exercise segment just so I could successfully get through it without giving up.

I feel like a lot of us do this in our real lives as well. We come across a situation that’s hard or stressful, and in our human nature we think we can take it on and fix it to our desired end. But as time goes on, the weight gets heavier on us and we realize, “Wait, I can’t actually carry this like I thought I was going to be able to.”

When we trust Jesus, we rest because we are no longer carrying a weight that we were never designed to carry.

Pastor Dharius Daniels puts it like this, “Control is an illusion. Control is reserved for the Sovereign One. When you and I take on the responsibility and the weight of control, we’re taking on God-weight, and then we’re carrying on weight we are not conditioned to carry.”

It’s in these moments where it’s best to realign our focus to the One who does have control and who can carry life’s weights.

Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

When we let God carry what only He is able to carry, our souls find the rest that they long for – but it requires our trust. Although trust is hard to relinquish, it’s what we were designed to do. When we trust Jesus, we rest because we are no longer carrying a weight that we were never designed to carry. Make no mistake though, rest in Jesus doesn’t always look like being completely content with the uncertainty of the future. What it does look like is continually choosing to trust that the One who knows the end from the beginning promises to work all things together for my good. And if it’s not good yet, then He’s not done yet.

Megan French is the Central Middle School Director for the Life Church. Her other day job is teaching 8th grade English at Ronald Reagan Middle School. She is passionate about reading, writing, and boy bands.

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The Work is Worth It

Megan French Contributor

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I have a love-hate relationship with Hollywood’s portrayal of love. While I know it’s problematic because it’s portrayed as something easy, completely based on a feeling, and as a matter of chance, the hopeless romantic in me can’t help but be drawn to it. Unfortunately, for a lot of us the latter wins out, and for this reason, the world has an incorrect expectation of what love is.

Worldly love is conditional. It is tied to outcomes and it is fleeting. So many of us, Christians included, are chasing this type of love but the reality of the situation is, it’s not really God’s version of love at all.

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” – 1 John 4:11-12 (NLT)

The part I’m most interested in is not that we “ought to” love others; that’s a given. The part I’m most interested in is that last part. The Bible says that if we love each other the way God loves, his love is brought to full expression in us. In other words, we get a front row seat to experience a taste of God’s love for us.

A lot of us are like, “Yes! Sign me up for that! I want to fully experience God’s love!” Problem is, I don’t think we realize what we are signing up for because God’s brand of love is work. God’s brand of love is sacrificial; it puts needs of others before self. God’s brand of love is enduring even when it’s hard. God’s brand of love is unconditional; it constantly forgives. Loving like God is not easy and one of the reasons for this is because it can hurt.

God loves fully flawed humans unconditionally and sacrifices for us – neither of which we deserve. When we do that for others, we get a taste of what it’s like for God to love us, and it’s not rainbows and butterflies. Whenever I’ve tried to love like God in this way, it’s hurt my heart greatly because often the other party doesn’t really “deserve” it. But that’s the point isn’t it? Love isn’t like the movies; it’s hard and it hurts.

I think part of the reason we see God when we truly love others is because of how we get a glimpse into His heart for us. We get to see first-hand what it’s like for God when we “let Him down” because we are flawed. We get to see first-hand that even though we definitely do not deserve it, God chooses to love us anyway. We get a fuller understanding of God’s love for us because we get to experience the other side of it: the giving side. This understanding of love helps us, and others, to see God, and for this reason alone, the work is worth it.

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Designed To Be Uncomfortable

Megan French Contributor

My teaching career started around the age of 9 in the basement of my childhood home as I “played school” with my sister as my only pupil.

Ironically enough, I am now forced to continue the 7^th year of my professional teaching career educating 135 students from my home workspace, which is located in, you guessed it, the basement.

Recent events have led teachers all around the nation to take our skills to a platform that many of us have never navigated before. Not to mention, parents are now the primary vessel through which learning is delivered, causing them to navigate not only parenting, but also their job and teaching all at once. Needless to say, it’s not the most ideal situation for a lot of us.

It’s uncomfortable which is how I know it’s right where God wants it.

I won’t bore you all with educational theory, but learning is an activity rooted in being uncomfortable. It’s kind of the point. When you are learning, there is very little that is familiar about your cognitive environment because it’s new; you’ve never learned it before. This is why so many of us give up on new things because it’s hard and it requires practice! Learning something new is designed to be uncomfortable.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (NIV)

You know what this verse tells me? It tells me that The Lord is the ultimate teacher of the year. He knows that when it comes down to learning something, it’s not about the standardized tests, the lessons, or the grades, it’s about teaching with a loving eye.

Could it be that God is using this time to disrupt all of us into a better way in which we should go about teaching kids? I have no doubt.

Since the start of this pandemic, I’ve seen parents and teachers, who are often at odds with each other, coming together to continue some semblance of educational normalcy for kids. As a result, I’ve seen kids, many of whom were completely disengaged during the school year, completely blow me away with their creativity and kind words. Without our routines and traditions, we are forced to focus in on what’s truly best for kids. When it comes down to it, that’s the heart of teaching: doing what’s best for kids. It’s teaching with a loving eye as the Lord does for us. Whether you realize it or not, in the world of education, that is immense progress because it’s something that so many of us had lost sight of.

As uncomfortable as we all are, it means we are learning, and as we learn change is sure to follow. The world of education will never be the same again, and that’s a good thing.

Megan French is the Central Middle School Director for the Life Church. Her other day job is teaching 8^th grade English at Ronald Reagan Middle School. She is passionate about reading, writing, and boy bands.