Who Is Your Boss?
Jack Martens spent 33 years teaching music at the Ben Franklin Middle School (formerly Ben Franklin Jr. High School) in San Francisco. Over 50 percent of Martens’ students were from broken homes and an approximate percentage were on welfare. Many came from families where English is not the primary language. To further compound the difficulty of Jack's task, the funding for the arts was drastically cut in his school district.
In these dire circumstances, Jack patiently and faithfully taught music to nearly 10,000 kids during his career while letting them see God’s love in action. Martens kept a Bible and other Christian symbols on his desk, but it was his interaction with the kids that gave his witness its real power. He ate lunch with them to give them a chance to talk through their problems at home with somebody. He stayed after school to help them master difficult fingerings with their instruments and difficult passages in life. Through the mechanics of music, he was able to communicate with disadvantaged and academically struggling students that they are capable of doing something beautiful with their lives. The kids in His band experienced the joy of God’s love incarnated through a man they loved and respected.
No matter our profession, we would do well to follow the example of Jack Martens and see our place of employment as a place of ministry. Although we may get a pay check from an Earthly employer, our real boss is Jesus and His wages are eternal.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
In these dire circumstances, Jack patiently and faithfully taught music to nearly 10,000 kids during his career while letting them see God’s love in action. Martens kept a Bible and other Christian symbols on his desk, but it was his interaction with the kids that gave his witness its real power. He ate lunch with them to give them a chance to talk through their problems at home with somebody. He stayed after school to help them master difficult fingerings with their instruments and difficult passages in life. Through the mechanics of music, he was able to communicate with disadvantaged and academically struggling students that they are capable of doing something beautiful with their lives. The kids in His band experienced the joy of God’s love incarnated through a man they loved and respected.
No matter our profession, we would do well to follow the example of Jack Martens and see our place of employment as a place of ministry. Although we may get a pay check from an Earthly employer, our real boss is Jesus and His wages are eternal.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
