The Learning

“Being teachable is one of the foundations for success.” –P. Shirer’s twitter

When you’re learning, you’re listening. You’re absorbing. I know (was) the kids in class who talked the whole time. They don’t learn as much.

When I am talking, I’m not listening. When I’m talking, it’s usually about myself—my thoughts or my opinions about things that may or may not matter. When I’m talking, I’m not as teachable.

I want to know God. I want to learn Him. I want to learn His ways, thoughts, desires, and I cannot learn this when I’m more concerned about my own. I cannot tune my ear to His teaching when I harping my mouth.

I spoke up in class last Sunday. More than once. Man, I wish I wouldn’t have. Deep in my bones, I wish I wouldn’t have. Whatever I said, it wasn’t the point, and it made no sense. I feel foolish and embarrassed and…ashamed. Speaking up wasn’t wrong on the outside. But on the inside, it was about me. It wasn’t about edifying or uplifting; I thought it was at first, but it wasn’t.

This was the second week that I got all hot-and-bothered over the discussion. Who cares? This is the church, sharing thoughts & opinions over the Word of God and our assembly together. This was the second week that I had a visceral reaction to the content of class, and I decided (not convicted) to open my mouth. Bad idea.

If I would listen, not to the noise in my head, but to my co-heirs leading our lesson, I just might learn something. The devil would hate that; he’s good at his job, isn’t he?

Lord, make me teachable.

“Call to Me & I will answer you & tell you great & unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33.3.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart & do not lean on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5.

“Teach me, & I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong” Job 6:24.