I love to learn. It grows on you.
It’s a shame that many of us catch the bug long after school or even college. I mean really learn rather cram for final exams. In the UK it used to be all about that stressful month when it all hinged on your performance in 15 three hour long exams. You don’t really learn at that point; it’s a fitness test.
After college I did continue to read and then devour books. Of course THE BOOK has been my sword for 30 years. But I love to read, good books not just anything. I’ll be with them for a while so I choose my book-friends carefully. But I find that when I have just heard the speaker or am in a cool Oxford bookstore I am friendlier to the book.
Then there is life lesson though we cannot always plan those. Wisdom tends to try to avoid situations that teach us! Years can make us wise if we listen. But we often don’t.
Then there are the people around us. I am very aware what a classy bunch New Hope really are. I learn so much from the people.
I was told a few years ago: Go to world class events. U2 October 6th…yes! So really my rugby experience is a learning opportunity!
2009 for me has been “meet the famous person” year. Maybe we’ll have a Christmas photo celebration.
I told Church this Sunday (with a third missing due to every event in the South East) this week’s wonders include Colin Powell and the brilliant General Petraeus. The latter gave what felt like a private word from the Lord after all had gone home. After a brief chat about London, he pointed over my shoulder and said “Keep your eye on the big picture.”
It was a “fix your eyes on Jesus moment” for me. When we meet heroes they can speak to our lives and we listen and remember. Many of these folks can also express it well also. Great word General David.
But hey not just ‘cos I have to, but because I want too, He is the teacher. Jesus that is. He’s the master, the teacher and the leader. Somehow he creates in me a desire to learn. I think that’s the teacher in Him, always bringing the best out of us, even if we face the worst. He is behind it all for my and our good. And maybe if I learn something, I am supposed to pass it on, especially the bits that are about Him. You can learn that anywhere.
