Learning

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY

My mother-in-law, Ruth Onarecker, strongly influenced my life. She passed away when I was in my mid-20s, yet hardly a day goes by that I don’t remember her words, ideas and great love for us. Ruth had a small plaque in her house, probably from the 1950s, which I later inherited — and today it’s in my daughter’s home.

It reads, “So long as you’re green you grow; when you think you’re ripe, you begin to get rotten.”

How true these words are. I’ve discovered that I never “arrive” — I enjoy learning. It’s exhilarating, stimulating and, for the most part, fun.

Have you ever thought about what Jesus learned?

Hebrews 5:8 tells us that He learned obedience from what He suffered. We, too, learn the most from our adversity and low points.

From suffering, we gain discernment and perspective. We learn about misplaced energy and focus. We learn to distinguish, such as between friends and acquaintances.

Matthew 11:29 quotes Jesus, saying, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

And don’t we need rest? Rest from worry and anxiety, rest in soul and mind. Rest, as opposed to always running and gaining no ground.

Learning from Jesus is not merely intellectual. It is relational, with the goal of transformation.

Philippians 4 is an especially valuable passage of Scripture from the Apostle Paul. Verse 11 says, “I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.” Paul says, “I have learned how to be satisfied because I live with God’s sufficiency.”

This inward adequacy — contentment, satisfaction — comes from the indwelling power of Christ. Something entirely God-produced. (Word Studies, arkeo/ Greek, Strong’s, #842) Like us, Paul became educated. He received instruction and gained understanding through God’s presence and life experience. His circumstances were not the truth itself but served to reflect what was — or was not — truth.

Thinking and reflection are powerful tools for learning as we grow in our knowledge of Christ and are transformed by that learning.

Paul was braver than most of us in that he volunteered himself as an example to follow, encouraging people to practice what they saw in him (Philippians 4:9).

Don’t most of us say quickly, “Do as I say, not as I do”?

I want to continue learning. Come along with me. Until next week, Anita

Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.