Okay, I’ll admit it. I was one of “those” kids.
You know. The ones who liked to learn. Who–dare I say it?–liked SCHOOL!
Some of you are shuddering, gasping, sticking out your tongue in disgust.
Others are nodding, poking their hands shyly (or proudly) in the air, whispering (or shouting), “Me too.”
Well, even if you weren’t a fan of school itself, learning is something that many enjoy. Why? Because it takes us outside of ourselves. It makes us better. It gives us wings to pursue dreams, to chase what never could be before. And it gives us the ability to change ourselves.
Because knowledge truly is power.
No, not power in the physical or even the dictator-type sense. Well, at least, that’s not how I mean it.
I mean the kind of power that transforms.
I am so grateful to the Lord for providing so many ways for me to learn. First, I live in America, where education is freely available (I use the term “freely” loosely, LOL). I was so blessed to have a first-rate education and to be able to go to college.
But as I’ve pointed out, that is not the only kind of learning.
I’ve also been blessed to find a church where the truth is preached. I have a pastor who delves into Scripture and teachers who speak truth to me.
Because even when I’m not teachable–and I’m talking about will, not ability–God’s planting truths in my path and my heart.
Even when I struggle to learn something, He still gives me the MEANS to learn it.
The biggest thing I’ve learned?
There is so much more knowledge to gain. So much more to know about God, about people, about life.
I’m blessing the Lord because He puts the lessons in front of me and doesn’t just leave me to stumble over them, confused and lost.
No, because He loves me, He gives me the ability to learn.
And if I ask, He also gives me the humility I need for such wisdom.
Your Turn: What are you learning lately?
Hey Lindsay,
I'm (re)learning that nothing stays the same! I'm reading about so many changes in the book industry and many of the changes I love, many of them concern me. However, it is part of my job to KNOW about the changes…because knowledge is power. It's the leg up.
I'm right there with you – still trying to find someone to pay me to be a full-time student….
Blessings,
Becky
I'm with you. I'm "learning" flexibility. I put it in quotes because I'm not sure I'll ever really learn it, but I'll always be learning more.
God certainly does expect His people to be knowledgeable. Honestly, right now I'm learning how to sail a boat. And thought it seems silly because it's only for a scene or two in WIP, God never lets what we learn go to waste. He multiplies it into other areas of our lives. And the lessons I learn about myself, about the world, and my spiritual life through sailing is so very cool–when God is teaching. I love how He stoops to help us understand His greatness and who He is by simply using things we can understand.
Excellent post today, friend!
I love that…He never lets anything we learn go to waste. Yep, yep, yep.
We're blessed to attend a church where the pastor is an amazing teacher. He can teach on a Bible story I've heard or read hundreds of times and make me feel like I'm hearing it for the first time. I'm so thankful for that.
Don't you just love how we can always pull out a new thread of knowledge no matter how many times we've heard something?
I love this, Linds. Sometimes I think one of the hardest things about being a Christian is knowing the learning never stops. I like to achieve goals, so realizing learning and growing closer to Christ is a lifelong pursuit, well, it can either stress me out OR give me excitement and vision for the future.
I was one of those kids who got a kick out of school (at least in my early days…by my senior year of college I was sorely ready to get out of the classroom and into the real world!). And every year, I'd get soooo ridiculously excited about school supplies. (Lisa Frank anyone?) So, thinking about that in conjunction with your post…what if I got as excited about the "supplies" God has given me for learning about Him? His Word. His Holy Spirit. Wise people around me. 🙂
Um, yay for Lisa Frank! And yay for the supplies God gives us. Love the analogy.
Great post.
I am learning to hold my boundaries. To stop looking back and to stay here, now — to be present to what God is doing in my life today.
Life-changing stuff.
I definitely struggle with this, though I learn more every day. To live in the present, not the past or future…hopefully my knowledge of this grows every day.
I am learning to TRUST in Him completely even when everything around me makes no sense at all! LOL!!
In the book, "Love Your God With All Your Mind" by Moreland, he wrote about just that: as Christians we are to learn more and more about the knowledge of God.
To love Him with our minds takes time and a willing spirit.
Great post!
I'm learning a lot about trust too.
I'm learning to wait on God for answers & like you I adore learning!
~ Wendy
Does not surprise me one bit, Wendy! 🙂
I'm learning how much I have yet to learn. I want to be a good student of life and eagerly absorb the lessons the Lord has for me. I'll admit to doing a better job of that some days than others.
Don't we all, Keli? You are not alone!
I'm like you, I LOVE to learn. Always have. Guess that's why I have 2 college degrees in completely different areas.
If I could make a career out of going to college I would.
I hunger and thirst for knowledge, so glad God has a well full of info to give me. And it's free!
I'm pretty sure my husband would be a full-time student if he got paid for it instead of having to pay for it! 😛
I used to look at life like there was a time-limit: death. But what I've learned is that the moment I said yes to Christ, I entered into Eternity with Him (the Bible says in John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.") There is no longer a time limit, I am now walking in Eternity and that eternity involves coming to know God more and more, and He has no boundaries or limitations, and neither does my learning. He gives us all eternity to know Him better, because that's how long it will take!
Wow. Gabe, that's awesome. Thanks for that perspective. It can be so easy to think we have to cram everything into our time here on earth.
I learn something new everyday! There is so much out there to soak in and ponder about. I'm a sponge.
Love that idea of being a sponge. It seems a sponge always has more room for what it's soaking up. Praying the same for us!
I'm learning…yes, I realize everyone else learned this long ago…but I am learning to let myself take time for things that come up without feeling guilty. Like when I'm sick, getting well and taking it easier. Silly, huh? Feeling guilty for taking care of yourself doesn't get anyone anywhere.
Great post, Lindsay.
I'm right there with you, Michelle! Seriously. I feel guilty if I take a break and watch a 30-minute TV show. But a lot of time, that fuels my creativity and just gives me that room to breath that's so important.