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Lifelong Joy
Learning “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Probably nothing gives more pleasure to new parents than to see their baby learn something new. It may be just a smile or giggle when encouraged, or a sound only a mother understands. Crawling is followed by standing, then the first tentative steps of walking. Two things are clear during this learning process: (1) the baby gets as much satisfaction from the learning as do the parents; (2) the new skills are achieved only after countless failures. Unfortunately these both change over time. When a youngster enters school he may decide there is no reason to learn this or that subject. And if forced to learn it anyway, he may fail at first. This is viewed negatively by student and parents and when it occurs, feelings of inferiority arise. He may think he is not as good as those who did better, and in extreme cases, that he is no good at all. It is no surprise that far too many drop out of the formal education process before they finish. The marvelous sense of satisfaction individuals experienced as babies when they learned something new is forgotten. Gone are the memories that learning is fun! Many of those who do stay in school and graduate believe their education is over and they may now do as they please: “I’ve paid my dues” might be the unspoken attitude. Yet any job requires a person to master new skills, and a person may reasonably expect to hold seven to ten different jobs in a lifetime. Some firms require job applicants to possess a college degree not because college taught the skills a particular job demands, but because obtaining a degree proves the applicant is self-disciplined and therefore likely to be willing to learn new skills. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” “Learn” in its various forms appears frequently in the Scriptures. The apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). This was no small attainment on his part since life is filled with frustrations that leave many chronically discontented. Paul did not learn contentment in his formal schooling, but from all his life experiences. It is a lesson we all should learn from ours, and the sooner, the better. The School of Christ
Continuous lifelong learning in the school of Christ expands our viewpoint and improves our life. It brings peace and rest when much of the world experiences neither. Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Just the process of learning brings us a joy and satisfaction others do not understand. No spiritual new creature would ever decide he’s “paid his dues” and has no reason to learn anything more. One does not usually associate singing as something that takes place in the school of Christ, but the revelator wrote that the successful ones sang “a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3). Although the master teacher customizes the curriculum for each of his students, the students must apply themselves if they are to learn anything. Here are a few principles that can make learning easier and more satisfying: (1) Learn with others. Peter sent his second letter to “them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). We learn through stimulation and that comes from outside ourselves. The wise man said “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We are told to not abandon “our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25, Net Bible). (2) Practice what you learn. Books are good, but reading about paints, brushes, and canvas will not a painter make. There is nothing wrong with reading stimulating articles, listening to discourses, and associating with others who are walking in the narrow way. But these have no lasting value if what we learn is not put into practice: “But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves” (James 1:22, Net Bible). (3) Teach others. You learn what you teach. Although there is no consensus on just how much more is retained when one teaches a subject compared to just reading about it, all agree it is many times more effective. Few of us will ever teach many students in a classroom, but every one of us can be a mentor to someone, often someone much younger than we are. Even a friendly discussion with a friend about a Scripture is a form of teaching and learning. Jesus himself said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19). (4) Reserve morning time for your education. Set aside a fixed time at the beginning of the day for study and meditation. Read and prepare your thoughts for the next group study. Those who take the time to prepare are more richly blessed than those who do not. Read a devotional resource that raises one’s mind to a higher plane. Those who don’t reserve some quiet time early in the day, generally do not find study opportunities later in the day since urgent activities have a way of taking all one’s time. (5) Cherish the old truths. Paul told Timothy to continue “in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). Timothy had learned much from his mentor Paul, and undoubtedly after Paul’s death he continued to learn more. But the old truths were still truths and were to be prized, not set aside in favor of a never-ending quest for what is new. A sentence or two later in this same letter Paul warned Timothy to stay away from those who “have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things ... they will turn away from hearing the truth” (2 Timothy 4:3, 4, Net Bible). Of course a new insight into the word of God is a blessing: “Search we may for many years, still some new, rich gem appears.” But old gems are beautiful too, and worth admiring from time to time to remind ourselves of what attracted us to them in the first place. (6) Think about what you’re learning. Albert Einstein once said, “Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.” Unfortunately, in some religions thinking is neither required nor encouraged. One is told that all one needs is faith, to believe the message being preached. But as an old expression warns, “Don’t check your brain at the door.” In a Non Sequitor cartoon Wiley Miller pictured the invention of religion by having a religious official tell two potential congregants: “OK, here’s how it works. First, you never question anything I tell you” (cf., Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). (7) Make learning important. No one will force you to learn. You need self-discipline, and you must motivate yourself. Don’t drift along in loose associations with those who are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). When spiritual learning becomes a habit in your life, you will experience a joy unlike anything that passes for happiness in the world around you. In fact, others may proclaim as did Festus: “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24). But it was Festus who lacked learning, not Paul!
Lifelong
Learning A stimulated mind promotes a healthy brain. Stimulation helps people retain mental alertness as they age. The brain’s physical anatomy actually responds to enriching mental activities. Even an aging brain can grow new connections and pathways when it is challenged and stimulated. As much as a quarter of the blood pumped by the heart goes to the brain. Although physical exercise is important for physical health, education may be more important. Just like the body, brains need to be nurtured. Lifelong learning is like a health club for the brain. It engages the spirit, and it provides social interaction opportunities that often diminish as people grow older. When events in our lives become challenging, it is wonderful to have fellow lifelong learners to help us meet those challenges. Thus lifelong learning not only rejuvenates the mind, it refreshes the body and spirit as well. As we walk in the footsteps of our Lord and master Jesus, our lives will become richer and more fulfilled. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” According to God’s plan for man in the next age and for faithful Christians in this age, those who learn their lessons will truly “live forever.” And one of the great prospects we have if faithful now is to participate in the education of resurrected mankind in their great judgment day: “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). |