Getting Out of His Way

Romans 12:7 (NET) – If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach;

One the great joys in my life is teaching an adult Sunday school class.

The learning experience should last a lifetime,

We begin learning when we are very young and we should continue to learn as we mature.

One of the challenges each teacher faces is how best to teach the age group with which we are entrusted.

Young children learn differently than older children.

Teenagers learn differently than young adults.

Adults learn differently than senior citizens.

Scripture tells us that we must have faith as that of a child.

I would not for a moment disagree with this.

Mark 10:15 (NET) – “I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Scripture also places emphasis on wisdom.

Matthew 10:16 (NET) – “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

It must be stated that there is a big difference between intelligence and wisdom.

Intelligence is what allows us to learn.

Wisdom is the application of what we have learned.

We live in a world that, intentionally or not, feels the need to treat each of us as if our intelligence is limited.

Cups warns us that coffee is hot and bottles warn us that shampoo is for external use only.

That is why I challenge my students with difficult material.

God gave us a heart therefore he expects us to use it for compassion.

God also gave us a brain therefore he expects us to use it in order to become wise.

It is possible for one to grow in wisdom and still maintain faith like that of a child.

It is a great pleasure to witness wisdom flourish in my students.

There are times when my students interact with each other about the material on a level that exceeds even my expectation.

In those moments, I get a glimpse of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives and I do something very wise.

I humbly get out of His way and allow Him to do what He is far better at than I am.

Perhaps I am growing wiser as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 4, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 11, 2015

Taking a Different Road

I was driving to work a few days ago and approached a major highway intersection.

Traffic had backed up further than usual and as I stopped the car I could see why.

Although I could not see the intersection I could see the flashing lights of numerous emergency vehicles.

It was obvious that a serious accident had taken place and emergency crews were in the process of rendering assistance to those involved.

It was also obvious that the intersection was going to be closed for quite a while.

To my right was a large shopping center and one by one the cars ahead of me were entering the parking lot in an attempt to find a way around the accident.

I entered the parking lot as well.

As soon as I exited the highway I found a parking spot and offered up a prayer for those involved and for the emergency personnel working the scene.

I then rejoined the line of cars that turned off the highway as we attempted to find a way around the scene of the accident.

Slowly we maneuvered through a series of connected parking lots working our way to an exit on the far side.

Everyone in this line of cars wanted to make a left hand turn out of the parking lot onto a service road that led back to the highway.

Being familiar with the area I knew that this road would quickly back up as well as it was not designed to handle this volume of traffic.

So, I did the opposite.

I turned right instead knowing I would be able to get back onto the highway by taking a different path.

My path would be longer, but it would be safer.

The Christian walk is rather like that.

Sometimes the way we choose to go doesn’t make sense to those going another way.

In the end, the way we choose to go is the better way because God has provided us with scripture as a roadmap for our lives.

The way we choose to go may not be the shortest or easiest way, but with scripture to guide us we are certain to reach our final destination.

After all, that is where we most desire to be.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NET) – “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 21, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 28, 2015