Learning Lessons

I don't know why it always amazes me. Every time I think I have a lesson learned, I find that I really don't understand things quite as well as I thought I did.

It is kind of funny. You would think that being a teaching major, I would get it. People need repetition in order to learn. It is a rare person that can hear a fact or see an equation once and never forget it. I think that it is the same in our spiritual life. I cannot expect to hear something once and never need to be reminded of the truth again.

It is a well-known facet of education that in order for a teacher to get a point across to students there are several levels of learning that must take place. I am sure that you don't want all the deep, nitty-gritty details, but suffice it to say this: true learning needs to pass from a mere surface knowledge - a repetition of facts - to something deeper - application, creativity, and evaluation.

I believe that God is the Master Teacher. He knows how to teach us so that we each individually learn. For me, this includes illustrating His truth in my life with examples, allowing me to share His truth with others, and yes, repetition.

So, what is the lesson that God is driving home for me this semester? It is something that I have mentioned before, but I am learning it in much more detail now. Simply put, this lesson is trust.

I have written before about trusting God. We are enjoined more than once in Scripture to trust in our Heavenly Father. This is not an option for Christians. However, it seems that our trust has to grow. We begin with trusting Christ for our salvation, and as our faith grows we realize that God is trustworthy in every way. (I don't understand why it takes some of us - namely me - so long to learn this.)

Even though I thought I had learned this lesson before, God has been giving me a review. Hard times are just that...hard. However, it is during these times that God seems to draw close and speak to my heart. His Word somehow becomes more meaningful, and fellowship with other believers somehow seems sweeter. I sense a peace that is indescribable. I know my Heavenly Father is taking care of me.

The last year has been a dark one for me. Loss, death, confusion, and financial concerns have all visited me. I have found one thing to be true throughout it all. God is faithful.

And so, I want to remind you...this hard time you are facing? Maybe God is allowing you to review some lessons. Maybe He wants you to just remember what you know. He is good. He is faithful. He loves you.