In 8th grade I thought I had pretty decent eyesight. A coach told me to go get my eyes checked out. A quick appointment with the Walmart eye doctor revealed that what I had was not particularly decent; it could even be called indecent in the sense that my eyesight was shockingly not good.
As an athlete, all those years ago, I was going to give contacts a try. I also never wanted to get caught in a fight with glasses which could just be knocked off. I’ll never forget the eye-man telling me to take the tiny piece of plastic on my finger tip, which was the contact lens, and make it look like a bowl. That sucker looked like a bowl no matter which way I put it on my finger! Anyways, I eventually got them in the right way after a stint of twitching from trying to touch my sight organs for the first time. I digress.
As my dad drove me home, I could not believe the clarity with which I was seeing the sky, the road signs, the businesses, the trees. This was the realest form of high definition. I could not believe the green of the grass. That there were actually visible, distinguishable blades of grass was a new concept. The details of every object that came into view were stunning to me, deserving of admiration. “Have others genuinely be seeing like this day by day?”
So it has been with seminary study, to a degree. I was seeing prior to coming here, seeing things that were truly there. Yet, these late night hours, long weeks, classroom fellowships, prayer times, assignments, and reading of big books (which I generally avoid) have all served me well. Greater precision has come with each course studied. Just this semester, I have had the opportunity to refine my understanding of the letter to the Galatians, Islam in Africa, Christology, and methods of research. It has been joyful.
The learning comes piece by piece and takes time, but those pieces are iteratively improving my understanding of God, man, the gospel, and how I view the world. I stand amazed just by the things that are brought to the forefront which I had not thoroughly given time to study or think through. Learning from Church history has been a joy and a reminder that there is nothing new under the sun.
I want to add that I believe informal education is the primary source, the way we grow as lifelong learners through ever stage of life. I was reading many good books that came into view by God’s grace in my walk and sanctification prior to coming here. God was kind to have me brush against many of the materials we are studying more in-depth here. I was seeking out mentors, which I trust is one of the most significant manners of learning, and highest privileges, having someone pour their life and wisdom into you. The Church has been a treasure to me as my truest family.
As believers, we are not required to go to an institution or classroom for some number of months or years, or obtain any paperwork or credentials. Yet, each and every one of us ought to be a lifelong learner, seeking to gain all the knowledge we can, and living by all the knowledge of the truth we can glean. Facts alone will do nothing for us, except maybe on trivia night, but truth of Christ that shapes and sharpens us is of eternal value. We should hunger spiritually, and find daily our satisfaction in Christ.
I hope you read something in the Word today that confronts you, spurs you on, excites you, teaches you, and guides you just as you need. I pray you will buy truth and refuse to sell it. I pray that your conscience would be more and more convinced of the truth of the Scriptures and the reality of Christianity, ever realizing the joy of the indwelling Spirit, and that you would stand your ground in this fallen world for the glory of God.
Lord, help us to ‘see what we see,’ and grow from one degree of glory to another until you call us home. Help us in family and finances, the workplace and our worship in and through all things, our stewardship of health and time, and utilizing all the gifts you have given in your kindness. Help us in joy and in sorrow and suffering, to see as you see.
Where we see well, help us live accordingly.
Where we see poorly, bring biblical correction.
For those blind and in darkness, give them sight.
My previous post was focused on the negative aspects of what we will not see if we do not keep near the Word. I hope this one could draw out the glory and beauty, delight in detail, and growth that comes as we stand grounded in this fractured world, the living Word as our lens, with a glad heart.
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