I Am Still Learning
Jan
9
Written by:
1/9/2012 6:36 PM
Michelangelo said this when he was 87 years old. I believe he said it in regard to his art. He is considered by many the greatest artist of all time.
It is fair to say that knowledge is worthy of life-long pursuit. I am not saying that it’s good to pursue knowledge for knowledge‘s sake or just to appear knowledgeable. That can become a prideful pursuit...definitely not good. However, the Lord can give us not just knowledge, but wisdom, exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart. That’s what I want.
How do you best pursue knowledge for good reasons? Here are some things that come to mind:
Michelangelo had a good, humble attitude. He didn’t say, “I have arrived. I’m the best.” He said, “I am still learning.”
Knowledge can help us do a better job ... to God’s glory.
There are many practical applications of knowledge. Our food at Thanksgiving was very tasty, but we had some chaotic moments in the kitchen. Before I serve that menu again I’m going to experiment with a couple recipes and see if there isn’t a better, simpler plan.
There is great joy in discovering the beauty and complexity of God’s creation.
God’s Word is our best source of knowledge of God and His ways. It is also a plumb line. It can show us when our thinking is crooked.
God’s Word is bottomless. You will never plumb its depths. In the first Bible Study I attended, a little old lady said, “I’ve been studying God’s Word for over sixty years, and it never gets old.” I remember staring at my Bible and thinking, “Just one book. How can that be?” Thirty seven years later I can say, “She was so right!”
I decided to read through the Bible this year. I haven’t done so in several years because I prefer a slower pace. However, I’m already very thankful I’m doing it now. I’ve noticed a number of things I never noticed before. Genesis 6:6 says God was grieved in His heart. Genesis 8:21 says, “Then the Lord said in His heart...” I’ve decided to read this year with His heart foremost in my mind.
To know His heart, to understand His love, there is nothing greater; but it’s something that we can never fully comprehend in this life. Paul wrote in His prayer for the Ephesians :
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height–to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14, 16-19)
There is no more worthy life-long pursuit!
Tips:
Have Michelangelo’s attitude. Keep learning.
Give your children a love of learning. Read to them. Explore nature with them. Own field guides, a one-volume encyclopedia, and a dictionary. Google frequently.
Give them a knowledge of God and His love for them. Speak of it often.
Memorize scripture with them. If your children are grown, keep memorizing. Even if you struggle to recall it perfectly, God is writing it on your heart.
Keep growing in you knowledge of Him and His love.