155. LEARN AND GROW. Ecclesiastes 2:13.

The most important skill you can acquire in life is Learning to learn. Gifted people can act as though they know it all, which makes it hard for them to keep growing, teachability is not so much about competence and one’s mental capacity as it is about attitude, it’s an innate hunger to know and grow. It’s a willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn. The world famous foot ball coach John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” It’s only as you remain teachable will you keep growing and continue to make an impact on the world. Lifelong learning is a lifelong ongoing daily pursuit which will ultimately lead you to wisdom. The Roman scholar Plato, started studying Greek at the age of 80, when asked why he was taking on such a difficult task at his age, he replied, ” It’s the earliest age I have left” Many people regard learning as an event, not a lifelong process. It’s estimated that only one third of adults read an entire book after leaving school. Why? Because they view education as a period in life, not a way of life, science confirms that while your physical body may atrophy, your mind retains much of its capacity for continued growth. Every stage of life presents lessons to be learned. You and I can choose to be teachable and keep on learning, or close our minds and stop growing. Try this simple experiment for a week; Ask others for advice… While deliberately withholding the advice you would normally give and at the end of each day write down what you have learned by being attentive. You will be amazed. To keep learning and growing, you need to recognise that; 1. Successful people view learning differently from unsuccessful people. Joshua learned from Moses,Timothy learned from Paul. Who have you chosen to learn from? Author Sydney J. Harris wrote; “A winner knows how much he still has to learn, even when he is considered an expert by others. A loser wants to be considered an expert by others before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.” You see, it’s all a matter of attitude. It’s remarkable how much a person has to learn before He/She realises just how little they really know. 2. Nothing is interesting if you are not interested. In “Quality Is free” Phillip B Crosby wrote; There is a theory of human behaviour that says some people subconsciously retard their own intellectual growth. they come to rely on cliches and habits. Once they reach the age of personal comfort with the world, they stop learning and their mind runs on idle for the rest of their days. They may progress organisationally, they may be ambitious and eager, and even work night and day but they don’t learn any more. However, It should work this way particularly for a Christian. If you are comfortable where you are, you are in the wrong place; If you are not making a difference for Christ in at least one person’s life, what are you doing there? We as Christians have been told (not asked) to “Go and make disciples.” If you and I are not doing that, we are sinning by our disobedience. A life for Jesus was never meant to be comfortable or easy, Jesus’ life was never that way and as followers of Him we should expect no less. Just look at all that Jesus has done for you and me, Not only the Cross and the forgiveness that entailed which is so much more than we deserve, but, that Death, that Resurrection and that Assension facilitated the coming of The Holy Spirit who embarks every area of our lives (if we allow Him to) with His gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding not only in Spiritual matters and situations, but also in our natural world. His is the little voice we hear saying in our minds “Don’t say that, Don”t do that, Don’t go there” etc. He is the One that speaks God’s Word in our hearts. That is what Jesus meant when He said on many occasions “If you have ears to hear, listen to what The Spirit says.” So, are you listening to what The Spirit Says? n (Luke 2:52) The Bible says “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.” He didn’t just grow physically, He grew spiritually, mentally and emotionally as well. It’s a tragedy when someone gets in to a rut and never climbs out of it; They miss out on the best God has to offer. By contrast, teachable people are completely engaged in life. They are enthusiastic about things. They are interested in discovering, discussing applying and increasing in all areas of life. So never stop learning and growing. In Scripture, we are constantly encouraged to “Know God”, Of course we will never get to know God completely in this life; because He is Spirit and manifests Himself to us primarily by faith than any other way. But, the more we learn about God, His absolute wisdom, unique power and unrivalled authority, the stronger and deeper our faith becomes. The word of God is the only true record of authority we have, it is the only true source from beginning to end of God’s intentions and Will for every living creature on earth including Human beings which He chose to make in His own image and likeness. He put those intentions in to action as recorded in the book of Genesis, and as we thumb through the pages of The Bible we are able to see how those same intentions came to fruition by just the word of His mouth. And so with Jesus,The only begotten (Unique) Son of God did exactly the same when He began His Ministry here on earth. He spoke to the people in Parables of realistic times and events that took place right there at that time, so they could understand exactly what He was talking about. He never missed an opportunity to relate these parables or stories to the everyday lives of His audience who were sheep farmers, vine dressers and gardeners, tax collectors, teachers of the law, fisherman or whoever. and addressed them to their own particular environments and occupations, thus each person could have a picture in their own head and envisage their own surroundings applying the lessons they learned to themselves. That is how one can learn through self application of the subject. We say to ourselves “Does this story apply to me? in what way? What can I do about it? And how do I do it? “ All these questions are addressed in each of Jesus’ Parables, look,learn and apply them to your life and you will soon realise you are following Jesus and His teachings. Do you really want to be more like Jesus? Then read John’s gospels slowly, quietly, daily and see the changes Jesus will make in your life. We all want to live a long life, and to do that we must learn to keep up with technology and as many of life’s changes as possible, let me tell you from my standpoint of ninety years that is very difficult when your body is telling you “You are too old and ought to stop” I have to reply “Stop and do what.” I figure, if I stop thinking, learning and using my brain, it will keep slowing down until it comes to a standstill and that in my book is called Brain-dead. Don’t let that happen to you, keep those marbles rolling for Jesus, and you wont be brain dead when you meet Him. Thank you for reading this word on learning and growing, it will keep you spiritually, mentally and emotionally alert eager and holy for Jesus and you will enjoy the rest of your life.’ God Bless Phaline. --------------------------