Don’t Stop Learning-You’re Not As Smart As You Think
Photo by Luke Miller
For the first 18 years of our lives, make that 22 if you go to college, we read and take tests. We learn stuff we like, and other material we hate, but we learn the material because we are told we need to in order to succeed. Then we complete college. No more tests, just deadlines and paychecks accompanied with television and movies. We figure we no longer need to read if no one or no test is holding us accountable, and for the vast majority of college grads we stop learning. We shouldn’t, we should be life long learners if we desire to have life long impact. So as we look at week 12 of ”What Do You Wish You Knew Then That You Know Now.” We look at, Don’t Stop Learning-You’re Not As Smart As You Think. Here are 3 reasons I believe it is absolutely vital that we continually push ourselves to learn and grow:
1. Relevant: Jesus impacted culture because he studied the culture, he knew the culture, and as result He was able to use parables His listeners could relate to, He used examples that were impactful, and even though He was hated by some, His wisdom and knowledge was still recognized. Being a life-long learner helps us remain relevant. It opens the door for us to engage with a wider audience, to connect with few, and impact the culture that surrounds us. When we stop learning we become irrelevant and disengaged. Why do you think so many of your grandparents have no idea as to what you’re talking about? I know some Grandparents that finally decided to learn how to text so they could communicate with their grandkids. Culture changes, and so must we, and we do this by continually learning.
Sharpen: When we continually grow we stay sharp. That’s what learning does for us, it sharpens us. When we stop learning we become dull, unable to function at our fullest potential. Romans 12:2 says it perfect, “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is , His good, pleasing , and perfect will.” The sharper the knife the more effective it is. The sharper the student the more effective they will be. Why do you suppose so many students in college feel like they can take on the world? Think like entrepreneurs? And then when they finish college and get a 9-5 the ambition dwindles? It’s because in college they are learning, they are sharp, and they feel they can be effective.
Guidance: To continually learn helps guide us through life’s tough decisions. It helps us make wise decisions, it steers us away from folly. We learn from our mistakes, we learn from the mistakes of others, or we fail to learn and repeat folly like a dog who returns to his vomit. As we commit ourselves to being life long learners, in essence we are allowing God to be our life long Teacher so that He might be the Lamp unto our Path that guides us home! “Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance,” -Proverbs 1:5
Can you think of any other benefits from being a life-long learner? Would love to hear your comments.
