So, this past week you may have seen a few photos of kids going back to school, or at least standing in front of their homes before heading off to school. I think I have one photo of me before my first day of school – in Kindergarten, and that’s about it till my graduation picture in 12th grade. But it is easier to take photos with cell phones now, and post them to social media with one click, so that helps. Seeing kids grow physically from one year to the next is pretty remarkable when you compare photos, and we’ve gotten several “oh, they’ve grown so much” comments as well. But what happens on the inside is what truly counts, even if you can’t see that progress in an annual photo. Hopefully sometime between those photos, each of those kids (and each of us) is learning and growing and maturing as well. If you can recall, in what part of your life did you grow the most?
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52
I remember the night before my first day of school and I was pretty excited, because I got to go to school, just like my older brother. Last night was the first night of AWANA for our kids this year, which is a weekly meeting to learn bible verses, hear stories, play games with other kids, etc. Our 3 year old has been looking forward to this for several years as she got to see her older siblings go and now started in Cubbies this week. She came home excited for her new experiences as well, and you know this enthusiasm may eventually wear off, but it is still good to see. Our 6 year old was asking what was next after Sparkies, and after TNT, and after youth group, and after that, etc. We basically told him that you continue to learn about Jesus and ways to live even after you are out of school, just like mom and dad. He didn’t sound too thrilled at that prospect, as maybe he thought at some point you learn all you can and then are just done. Have you gotten to the point where you are done trying to learn new things, or do you still have enthusiasm for trying to better understand and refine the things you know?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Whether God made me this way, or I have developed it, I have always had a desire to learn more, regardless of how much I have learned in the past. That doesn’t mean I spend countless hours reading ‘unnecessary’ things, as much as I’d like to sometimes, but just like to learn new and useful things whenever I can. I see every job as an opportunity to learn something new and apply that knowledge in a helpful way. Even my auto mechanic has tolerated me hanging out and asking questions for a bit, just because I’m curious. No matter how much of an expert in your field you think you are, there is always more you can learn. I don’t claim to know it all, but I do try to use the tools God has given me to make the best decisions for myself and others that I can. As much as I know or have read the Bible, there are always new insights and things I can learn and apply each time I revisit a chapter or verse I have read before, even if for the 137th time. If you don’t think there is much more you can learn from sitting through another sermon, continue to make yourself available to His leading as there are still millions of ways to apply what you already know in the lives of those around you each day, whether you are just starting Kindergarten or in your 87th year.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Yours in Christ,
Clark
