Recently, I took a little online course called “Getting Things Done.” It follows a book by the same name. The author, David Allen, helps readers think through a process to move things from swirling around in our minds to action. He doesn’t claim to help people get more things done in the same amount of time. He aims to help people just get things done rather than leaving them in the undone backs of our minds. One statement he made stuck with me. “The better you get, the better you’d better get.” It reminds me of the need to continue to grow and learn in life, as a father, as a husband and as a pastor.
The Scriptures affirm this. Here are some examples.
Matthew 11:29 – Jesus – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 14:26 – Jesus – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Titus 2:11-12 – Paul – “For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age.”
Employers look for new employees who are teachable. They may not have all the knowledge but they are willing to learn. We might not currently attend a school or college to gain some knowledge. Yet, we need to keep learning and adding to the knowledge with which God has already blessed us. He has so much more to give us if we will only adopt the posture of life long learner.
We need the Spirit’s power to apply the learning to our lies and overcome our own resistance to it. Yet God’s teaching is the best we can get. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 – Jesus.
“Lord, no one likes a know it all. Yet sometimes we act like one when some topic pops up or we do not like the idea that we have to learn something new. Help us to recognize the blessing and life-giving value of your teaching. Empower us to be life-long learners with you as our Teacher.”