Starting to Learn
Today I start my seminary education. I think I've felt the vast spectrum of emotions that are typically felt on a first day of school. Will I like my teacher? Will I be as smart as the other students? Do I look cool enough? Will I hit rush-hour traffic on the drive home? Well, maybe that last one isn't typical, but you get the idea.
Something I am looking forward to in this next stage of education is learning. You may think, "Duh, that is what education is for." Yes, I agree with you. However, as I entered my undergraduate studies, I think I was looking more for an experience than an education. I wanted teachers to teach what I wanted to learn. I wanted to be in control of the pace and flavors of what came my direction. Nevermind that the teachers knew more than I did and I was an ignorant 20 year old with barely any ministry experience. I thought I knew what I needed.
Today, as I approach seminary, I feel like a sponge. I've imbibed Socrates phrase, "True knowledge is knowing that you know nothing," or better yet, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 18:2; 12:15). I don't want to be a fool. I am excited to listen and learn from wiser men and to perhaps reshape my vision for what ministry should be like.
I wonder what the attitude of the disciples was when they first started their education with Christ. Did they have any idea what they were in for? Here were simple business men, just doing their jobs, when Christ comes along and changes their lives with the simple phrase, "Follow me." Did they have expectations? Did they want to learn in their way, on their schedule, for their ultimate benefit? Of course they did. They were fools, just like you and me, trying to impress their views and opinions on how Christ should run His discipleship program. I think their questions about who would be first in the kingdom and who Christ should minister to are testament enough to that attitude. But it wasn't only them.
The people around Christ were the same way. I was reading this morning in Luke 4 how the crowds were trying to press Jesus into staying longer. Christ responded by refocusing their attention again on why He was there. "I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43) Christ knew what His discipleship was leading to. He understood the purpose of His ministry and what the disciples should be focused on. That is exactly what the purpose of my education is as well, to train me to better proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
So, I am off to broaden my mind, to be stretched, and I have no idea what to expect. I hope that's a good thing.
Something I am looking forward to in this next stage of education is learning. You may think, "Duh, that is what education is for." Yes, I agree with you. However, as I entered my undergraduate studies, I think I was looking more for an experience than an education. I wanted teachers to teach what I wanted to learn. I wanted to be in control of the pace and flavors of what came my direction. Nevermind that the teachers knew more than I did and I was an ignorant 20 year old with barely any ministry experience. I thought I knew what I needed.
Today, as I approach seminary, I feel like a sponge. I've imbibed Socrates phrase, "True knowledge is knowing that you know nothing," or better yet, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 18:2; 12:15). I don't want to be a fool. I am excited to listen and learn from wiser men and to perhaps reshape my vision for what ministry should be like.
I wonder what the attitude of the disciples was when they first started their education with Christ. Did they have any idea what they were in for? Here were simple business men, just doing their jobs, when Christ comes along and changes their lives with the simple phrase, "Follow me." Did they have expectations? Did they want to learn in their way, on their schedule, for their ultimate benefit? Of course they did. They were fools, just like you and me, trying to impress their views and opinions on how Christ should run His discipleship program. I think their questions about who would be first in the kingdom and who Christ should minister to are testament enough to that attitude. But it wasn't only them.
The people around Christ were the same way. I was reading this morning in Luke 4 how the crowds were trying to press Jesus into staying longer. Christ responded by refocusing their attention again on why He was there. "I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43) Christ knew what His discipleship was leading to. He understood the purpose of His ministry and what the disciples should be focused on. That is exactly what the purpose of my education is as well, to train me to better proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
So, I am off to broaden my mind, to be stretched, and I have no idea what to expect. I hope that's a good thing.
I've added you to my Google Reader! I'm excited to hear your thoughts and learn bits of wisdom along the way.
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