Called to the Principal’s Office
“Mrs. Smith, we need to see Johnny in the principal’s office please.” Words like these are usually uttered in a stern tone and send fear into the heart of many elementary students every year. I think it is interesting that we teach children to remember the difference in “principal” and “principle” is that the one ending with “pal” is the person at your school and yet no one wants to be called to their “pal’s” office!
Well, let me tell you, it doesn’t feel any better as an adult! Now, anyone who knows me well knows how much I respect my principal. She is caring, professional, supportive, and kind. She gives me no reason to fear her. However, earlier today when the office called my phone and said she needed to see me in her office, I felt like one of the 3rd graders I teach! Long story short, she was checking on me and my contact with a student who has tested positive for “the Rona,” as I like to call it. I wound up leaving campus to be on the safe side and will get tested tomorrow.
Here is the connection to a spiritual thought that occurred to me: if it makes me nervous to be called to the principal’s office because of her role as an authority figure, how in the world can I stand to face the thought of standing before an all-knowing, all-powerful God on the day of judgment?!
He is kind. He loves me (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16). He doesn’t want me–or anyone else–to perish (2 Peter 3:9). He is the God of comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4), mercy (Romans 11:30-32), and grace (Romans 5:2).
But, you see, I also know the verses that emphasize His justice. He has wrath toward those who are ungodly (Romans 1:18). There are things He hates (Prov. 6:16-19). And He knows everything about me, even those things I might keep hidden from you (1 Cor. 4:5; Heb. 4:13).
So, how do I face that day? If just a trip to the principal’s office makes my knees quake, how do I even contemplate standing before the holy God? I don’t stand alone. That’s it. God has made provision for me not to stand alone in His presence. In fact, when He looks at me, He sees the blood of His Son. And that makes all the difference. Consider the following words from the hymn “Before the Throne of God Above,” written by C. L. Bancroft:
“Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.”
“I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me…” (Micah 7:9, emphasis added)
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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
