“What did you learn today?” I’m convinced there are few parents (or grandparents) who haven’t asked this question of their children, grandchildren or other miscellaneous and assorted children in their lives. As the mother of two boys, grandmother to three girls and privileged acquaintance/friend of many more, it was always a regular part of my conversations.
Pursuant to that question was the joy of hearing the children’s responses and, more specifically, of hearing how their level of learning was increasing. For example, early in our granddaughter’s education the answer might be: “I learned how to say the alphabet”; later, I recall helping them learn to read, and still later, I’d love hearing things that they had written. True learning is ongoing. (Lest someone protest, I realize, all too well, that there are folks who are unable to learn for various reasons and this piece is not meant to negate their value!).
This week I painfully experienced the importance of learning in our relationship with life and more specifically, with the Lord. Without going into any details, the difference between knowledge and wisdom became painfully evident. Solomon, son of King David writes “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly….” and, later “the heart of the righteous studies how to answer….” Knowing something and implementing it wisely are often altogether different.
The Apostle Paul, in writing to his protégé, Timothy, gives specific instruction regarding the appointment of individuals into roles of leadership. Was that out of prejudice? No way! Rather, as he writes, “Before they are asked to be deacons, they should be given other jobs in the church as a test of their character and ability, and if they do well, then they may be chosen as deacons.”
Office holder, church attender, or whomever, may both our knowledge and wisdom in Christ continue to grow.
