College is a lifetime thing
By Rev. Adam Fox
Warning, we are entering the graduate season.
This is the 6-8 weeks of the year where Junior High, Senior High, College, and advanced degrees are receiving their hard earned parchment. AND it means that I as a pastor will be invited to every party under the sun. For those that I know, even for the students who I have seen once. Gifts are gifts.
But for me, this time period was always difficult.
College was a difficult thing for me, it took me sometime to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and even longer to listen and do it. Let alone the academic reasons.
Graduating, and especially for the last time is a very special time. It takes so much of your life, your energy and motivation, and most of your money. Do not think I am discrediting that time, or am downplaying this event.
Like I tell my students, go to college, challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself possible, Do not settle for the quick and the easy.
For the majority, college and life after is a simple thing. They want to be a teacher - get a degree as a teacher. Easy Peasy.
But for the few life me, it is a hard choice. College is not always in the plans. But that does not mean we should stop learning.
Learning is something that is not bound to Universities and High Schools. It does not stop at the age of 25. Learning is a life long thing. And as Christians, that is key!
We should never be satisfied with where we are, with what we know, with the level of understanding and wisdom that we have. Solomon wrote that we should want to know more
James tells us that God gives wisdom to us in the boat load, we just need to ask!
We need to keep learning, keep being more like our Father in love and grace as well as wisdom. I know it is not always easy, stepping out of our comfort zone never is. But learning and growing is worth it.
And even better, the Bible tells us that we need to share this knowledge and lessons learned to the next generation.
Train a Child! Teach a child! It is not just for parents, although they are the primary teachers and molders of the next generation. But it is a charge to the entire church. Encourage and teach children in the Word, in life, in Godly wisdom.
But let me point out, learning is amazing. It is helpful and produces growth. But we need to leary of the Education trap.
Sometimes, we get enamored with the idea of school, or learning, or the like. I see it with some college kids, they get to a public university and on their own for the first time and they just swallow whatever they hear and see.
They get trapped by the false teachers, and by philosophers and the like. And what they learned about God in the bible is now on equal or less footing with everything else.
Proverbs 9:9New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
We need to keep learning, keep being more like our Father in love and grace as well as wisdom. I know it is not always easy, stepping out of our comfort zone never is. But learning and growing is worth it.
And even better, the Bible tells us that we need to share this knowledge and lessons learned to the next generation.
Proverbs 22:6New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
But let me point out, learning is amazing. It is helpful and produces growth. But we need to leary of the Education trap.
Sometimes, we get enamored with the idea of school, or learning, or the like. I see it with some college kids, they get to a public university and on their own for the first time and they just swallow whatever they hear and see.
They get trapped by the false teachers, and by philosophers and the like. And what they learned about God in the bible is now on equal or less footing with everything else.
Colossians 2:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16New King James Version (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Be careful what you learn, and most importantly keep checking it to the ultimate standard, the Bible. It is and should always be our consistent and guide.
Keep studying, learning, becoming more wise. It is a life long skill. And share these things with others - as well as that God loves them.
Until next time!
Cheers and Excelsior!
Pastor Adam!
