Proverbs 1:2-5,7
“To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
Knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Another of my values is to be a life-long learner. I tallied the number of books I have read this year and its about 130 ½. The half is important and I’ll mention it later. However, one can read that many and more, but still not learn. The overarching principle in my quest for learning this year, has been that the more I learn, the less I know, but I may now know how to enter better into knowing more.
We can read and learn so much, but the information we learn needs to be integrated into our lives. Even though we have more access to more knowledge at our fingertips each and everyday, it does not mean that we even have a chip at the overall information. And then through assimilation and integration, we much reach wisdom, but wisdom only comes through experiences and seeking God to grant us discernment.
Some principles from learning that I have made are
-Seek the Lord. Read the Bible, listen to what He has for you.
-Proceed with curiosity. Don’t assume you know what someone else’s view, perspective, or opinion is. Ask questions.
-Choose your information sources wisely and diversified. You don’t only want to gain information from views that you agree with. Learn varying opinions and listen to the heart.
-Seek wise counsel to speak into your life. Don’t assume you know how you’re perceived or you always know what the best choice or route to go.
WHAT AM I READING?
The largest reading category for me is electronic books. 91 ½. That’s how many I have read this year. I read when I can’t sleep at night. I read when my brain is so overloaded with things that I need to check out. Not to run from life, but to get a break so that my mind can then process. It is called active fascination that allows for healthy brain activity. It can be done through gaming, tv watching, reading etc.
I am careful in choosing the books I read to make sure that they are “wholesome”, which I know is relative to who you are talking with. However, that ½ book is one that while nothing was morally wrong with it, it created angst, which was counterintuitive to the result I am aiming for.
Another category of reading is Audible books. Sometimes I just listen on Audible. Sometimes I read the paper book while listening. It helps me process better.
Audible books fall into three categories for me.
- Leadership Books-some are faith-based and some are not, but again trusted leaders that have proven to be ethically sound. Some are children’s ministry focused, some general leadership and some are mental health focused.
- Faith-based books-I love hearing the author read their writing. These books are authors such as Beth Guckenberger and Lysa Terkeurst. They bring me in and make me feel as though she is talking directly to me.
- Biographies and Fiction-For me these definitely include C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia (I’m on my second time through this year) and other people chronicling their life and how they have worked out their salvation and are on the sanctification journey.
Textbooks: I did not think that I would be back in school, but I am and so much of my time is spent reading textbooks. I’m in the process of three right now. However, most of these books point to Jesus and help me in understanding thinking, development, interpersonal skills and theology. There is an aspect that these have transformed my thinking and grown closer to God.
Other Books: The tangible, physical book. These fall under a wide array of categories from parenting, devotional, personal growth, and ministry.
The Bible: Always spending time in the Word of God and not just reading what others are saying about His Word. That is important. While reading what others have said can help us in understanding, we should not ever stray from reading His Word and asking for discernment.
Through making a commitment to learning, I always know there is more to learn about myself, about others, about God, about the way the world works. I know that I don’t know. I know that the more I learn, the less I know, but I may now know how to enter better into knowing more. It can keep me on an open journey to seeing what God has placed before me. It helps me be open-handed and not close fisted.
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.”
Journeying with Jesus Everyday 