Not sure who first said it, but I remember my parents saying after acquiring some bit of new information: “Well, you learn something new every day.”
As a leader and as a follower of Christ, I place a high priority on learning. I’ve cultivated a strong reading habit and long to continually be curious and inquisitive. So when I saw these verses from Proverbs it got me to thinking about the importance of daily learning:
“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.” Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV
Here are some random thoughts based what these verses teach us about learning, whether it’s spiritual learning or otherwise:
The prerequisite to learning: Recognize that you don’t know everything and you have so much to learn in so many different areas.
We need to nurture our curiosity to learn: “Pay attention … turn your ear … apply your heart …” It takes diligent effort and cultivation to learn.
Pay attention: Concentrate and zero in on what you’re learning or it will go in one ear and out the other (another great saying). I find it helpful to highlight and take notes in books and to take notes in a journal I carry with me.
Turn you ear—listen: Books are easily available ways to learn, but it’s also important to listen to what others have to say. There are those who have gone before us and have dealt with what we are facing. Seek those people out and listen. But also realize that you can learn from anyone. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.”
Apply your heart: It’s not enough to acquire knowledge. We must apply it to our lives. Knowledge without application is like buying shop tools and woodworking books but never actually building anything. As you take notes, think and pray about how you can personally apply the information.
Another great way to beef up your learning is to share what you’ve learned with others (“… have all of them ready on your lips.”) We refine and solidify our thoughts when we share them with someone else.
Our learning shouldn’t make us arrogant, but should actually make us more humble (“So that your trust may be in the Lord …”). As Paul said, “… knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV). In fact, the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know.
If your trust in God isn’t deepened over time as you’re learning, you’re doing it wrong.
Learning should be an everyday occurrence (“… I teach you today, even you.”). What is God teaching you today? What are you reading today? What are you learning from others today? What’s inspiring you today? When you share what your walk with Christ means to you or what else you are learning, it shouldn’t just be a history lesson, but a current events lesson.
So, what are you learning—today?