Month: August 2017

My kids went back to school this week. While they have lots to learn about language, math, science, and social studies, I hope they learn more than rote facts and mindless regurgitation. What I want more than good grades and completed sticker charts is for them to develop curiosity about the world and how it works. I want them to search for deeper understanding and meaning, to go beyond the surface. Because we live in a world where so much of the truth lies below the surface, where we have to dig deep to understand what’s really happening, what’s really at stake. And those are skills they’ll need for a lifetime.

We’re all created to be life-long learners.  We’re created not just to know about God, but to know God. And He is a very good teacher. Even those who opposed Jesus called Him “Good Teacher.”  We might not understand His teaching methods, but He never leaves us guessing what outcomes He is looking for.

The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding. He doesn’t thresh all his crops the same way. A heavy sledge is never used on dill; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but he doesn’t pulverize it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom. Isaiah 28:26-29

If God can show the farmer the best way to treat each crop, doesn’t it follow that He knows the best way to care for each of us? God is a wonderful teacher. He tailors His lessons to the student and He keeps going over the material until we master it. He always first presents the lesson in a way that’s gentle, easy to learn. The gentlest lessons are the ones we learn from the Book. The Bible clearly spells out God’s instructions on the best way to live our life. It’s full of object lessons that show us both the right way to live and the consequences that come from ignoring the Teacher.

What happens when we don’t learn the Book’s gentle lessons? Then the wise Teacher takes a new approach. These are the lessons we learn in the school of hard knocks, and often they hurt. This is why the Bible cautions us, “Don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12). We generally think of punishment when we hear the word discipline, but a better definition is training that corrects, molds, or perfects. This is what God is doing when He disciplines us – training us, teaching us those lessons we didn’t learn the first time.

God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  Hebrews 12:10-11

God is the starting point and essence of wisdom. He is the foundation of all knowledge and understanding. He is a good teacher and His lessons lead to life.

My father told me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live.” Proverbs 4:4

My kids will be the ones with the homemade viewers for the eclipse today. That’s because I procrastinated about getting “official” glasses. They were available for free at the library, but I walked past the display without picking any up. So we’ll have to make do with some cereal boxes and tape. In case no one told you this, if you look directly at the sun, you can burn your retina.

Today is supposed to be the “most-watched eclipse in North American history”. I was thinking of the many people who have traveled to the path of totality. I pictured them looking up to watch the sun be covered by the moon, and I couldn’t help but think of another day. On some future day, everyone on the earth will look up.

Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!    Luke 21:27-28

Ancient people feared an eclipse because they thought it revealed a weakness in their sun god. Others thought it was a portent of catastrophe. For the Christian, our God has no weakness. Today I won’t be looking up in fear, but in awe, reminded of the power of God who has saved me. And I’ll be looking ahead to a future day, when I will see my Savior arrive in all His power and glory.

I can’t help but also think of the many who will have procrastinated, who will have delayed too long, who will have put off the day of salvation until the day of judgment. On that day, our good works, our own efforts at right living, will amount to nothing more than cardboard and tape. We need a Savior. There is only one way to be saved, and that is to trust that Jesus has made it possible for you to look directly into the glory of God and not be consumed.

I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal – it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.     Daniel 7:13-14