An Unfinished Testimony
We are subject to many pressures as we serve to bring the loving presence of God into our schools. This often calls for courage and faith to take steps into areas where we do not see the outcome immediately, especially when it comes to the emotion and struggle required to practice godly values. J, a Christian teacher from Brno in Czechia, is one of those who has not avoided this challenge. Her school is known for being welcoming to students who come out of different gender identities. She decided to describe what this practice looks like in the daily life of the school and what difficult situations sometimes occur as a result of the school's policies, in an article for the conservative newspaper. She was careful to completely anonymize the data and names of the students, so as to retain an attitude of God's love for all concerned
However, two former students identified themselves in the article and revealed their own names, as well as J's and those of four other students publicly. This was followed by an article in the newspaper with the headline, 'She tried to evangelise us. Teacher attacks queer people in class and writes slur on trans students." There was then an article in a more serious periodical that did not check its sources properly and communicated a one-sided view. J tried to stand her ground, weighing and deliberating how to proceed and communicate with the media. Sadly, she was not supported by colleagues she knew agreed with her, either in the school, or the media. The story was picked up at a national level and life became very pressurised for J. She considered resigning, but the students she teaches mostly like her and wished she would not stop teaching, and she is also determined to lead her classes to graduation. Some students, teachers and parents have also privately supported her by saying they are behind her, but she has still faced public opposition alone.
How would we have reacted in a similar situation? Would we have had J's courage of conviction, or would we have supported her in practical ways by writing to the newspaper, or standing with her in the school? Would we have prayed with her and stood with her before, during and after? Or, would we have held back out of fear and uncertainty? What would the Lord have desired us to do?
This story is not resolved yet, and when we can, we'll give an update. Until then, perhaps you can make time to pray for J, her students past and present, and for God's love and wisdom to be the heart of the matter.
Perhaps you too are in a situation that deserves to be heard? But when there are so many other more important things to do, would we rather silence that inner voice crying out for justice, and so we become part of the silent majority over which those who shouted loudly prevailed?
