by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (ESV)
On our way to Savannah for vacation, we drove through Alamo. Chris chose a route that was very familiar to me—Snowhill Road. I smiled and told him, “The high school is on Snowhill Road.”
“I didn’t realize that,” he replied.
What I found when we passed by was twofold: happy tears and the presence of the Lord.
As Chris drove past the grand white columns of Wheeler County High School, I remembered the beautiful sunrises that greeted me each morning. Without warning, tears began to roll down my face. It had been two years since I had taught there, yet my love for Wheeler County has never diminished.
I loved my colleagues. I loved my students. I loved the building.
But most of all, I loved my time with Jesus.
Some of the sweetest moments of my life happened on that drive to school, inside my classroom, and on the drive home. Every opportunity I had, I sought the Lord. During those five years, He surrounded me with God-fearing prayer warriors, lifelong friends, and daily reminders of His faithfulness.
This morning, during prayer, I asked the Lord why those years had been so precious to me.
His answer was simple, yet it pierced my heart.
“Your career was no longer your idol. You worshipped Me instead of prosperity or career goals. You laid aside your idols for Me, and I met you there on Snowhill Road.”
I sat quietly with those words because I knew they were true.
Could it be that what I missed most wasn’t Wheeler County at all?
Could it be that I missed that depth of intimacy with Jesus?
As I prayed, I realized that my ideals have often derailed me. When my expectations weren’t supported or realized, I grieved the loss of what I thought should have been. Instead of allowing Jesus to comfort me, I allowed disappointment to distance me from Him and, at times, from the people He had placed in my life. My family, my friends, and even my work family sometimes felt the effects of a heart grieving an ideal instead of resting in God’s perfect will.
When my ideals became more precious than His presence, they quietly became idols.
That’s when I understood why the Lord told me to lay down not only my idols, but my ideals as well.
So I prayed,
“Lord, I want that kind of relationship with You at Wilcox County too. I need You every second of every minute of every hour.”
Again, His answer was clear.
“Put away your idols—and your ideals too. Worship Me, and continue to seek My face.”
For years, I have prayed one simple prayer:
“Lord, show me Your face.”
He has graciously reminded me what it takes.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Jesus is my way into a relationship with the Father.
Jesus is also my way back into Wilcox County.
The location is changing, but the calling remains the same.
As I reflected, the words of Stephanie Gretzinger’s song filled my heart:
“Show me Your face, Lord, show me Your face. Then gird up my legs so I might stand in this holy place… Show me Your face, Lord, show me Your power and grace. I would make it to the end if I could just see Your face.”
In this next season of teaching and loving students, I want to carry that same passion with me. I want to worship on the drive to school, pray throughout the day, meditate on His Word whenever possible, and return home with a heart full of gratitude.
I’ve realized that the answer has never been more money, greater recognition, or another career achievement.
The answer has always been more Jesus.
No idolatry.
No ideals.
No striving.
Just Jesus.
I was reminded of that truth in 2023 while teaching one of my senior English classes. Right in the middle of a lesson, one student looked up and asked, “Ms. Greene, is Jesus really the only way?”
Without hesitation, I answered,
“Yes, son. Yes, He is the only way.”
There was nothing left to debate.
The debate—and the debt—were settled over two thousand years ago.
Scripture Study
Read Matthew 5:8, John 14:6, Philippians 3:7–14, and Exodus 33:18-23. Notice how every person who longed for God’s presence first had to surrender something of themselves. Ask the Lord to reveal anything that has quietly become an idol—or an ideal—in your heart.
Challenge
Take fifteen quiet minutes today and ask the Lord one honest question:
“Jesus, what ideal am I holding onto more tightly than I am holding onto You?”
Write down whatever He brings to mind. Then surrender it to Him in prayer, trusting that His presence is always greater than your plans.
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that Your presence is always greater than my accomplishments, expectations, or dreams. Forgive me for the times I have allowed success—or even my own ideals—to occupy the place that belongs only to You. Purify my heart so that I may seek Your face above everything else. As I begin this new season of teaching, let my greatest desire never be a classroom, a career, or recognition, but deeper fellowship with You. May every mile traveled, every lesson taught, and every conversation become another opportunity to worship You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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