Never Stop Learning
This past week was Read Across America Week. I’m almost certain that most parents of elementary students were fully aware of that fact. There were dress up days, crazy sock days, and other creative ideas to encourage students to think about the benefits and fun of reading. It always falls on the first week in March because of the March 2nd birthday of famed author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known simply as Dr. Seuss.
It just so happened that in our Wednesday night Bible class we were talking about competency in leadership. Among the qualities and habits needed was the mindset that we would never stop learning. We need to be ever growing in our knowledge. As we discussed this idea Mike Brooks brought up a beautiful passage in 2 Timothy 4. As Paul’s life is coming towards its end he hopes to see Timothy. A visit would be very encouraging. But he asks Timothy to bring a couple of items.
“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13).
This is believed to be one the last letter that Paul wrote that we have in Scripture. Just before these statements he claims he is “already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time” of his departure is near (4:6). Yet, Paul was still learning. He will still wanting to read and study and grow. What Paul knew was when you stop learning, you stop growing. And when you stop growing, you start dying.
Peter taught this same concept when he encouraged his readers to “add to their faith” moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love ( 2 Peter 1:5-7). Then he says, “if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful...” (1:8). Those who aren’t adding them are blind and have forgotten that they have been cleansed (1:9).
So, as students across America read their favorite books and attempt to grow in their knowledge and study skill, may we be encouraged to learn and grow in our knowledge of the greatest book in the world. It will help us in standing against sin. It will help us in being encouraged in hard times. It will help us navigate relationships and difficult decisions.
The bonus is this: Not everyone gets to be personally acquainted with their favorite author. But you can. He is not only the author of the Bible, He is the author of life itself (Acts 3:15; John 1:1-3). And He came to live among us in human flesh (John 1:14) so that he can encourage us and give us the assurance that he understands our struggles and pain (Hebrews 4:15).
Dr. Seuss once said: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” That is true with life and that is true in our spiritual walk. As we read and learn we not only go to more places in our minds but we also are driven to go share the word with others in our neck of the woods and around the world. Ultimately, through our relationship and guidance from the Lord we will get to go to our ultimate heavenly home.
Ben