There are several sayings and ideas that flash through my head from time to time. You see, there have been times I’ve thought about going back to school. Not anymore though because at 67 I’m not sure there would be much of a return. 🙂 Unless, of course, it would be for counseling. But then again… (I could write a whole lot about that).
Anyway, about those sayings. Here are a few of them:
- “Much learning doth make thee mad.” (No one ever accused me of that)
- “He’s so smart, but has no common sense.” (Ditto, especially on that first part)
- “His head is so far up in the clouds he doesn’t know how to relate to people.” (I know I’m tall but having that said about me would kill me).
Stuff like that. Then there’s the pompous idiots who think because he/she has a degree they are much better than everyone else.
I don’t want either. There has got to be a balance between knowledge and the ability to minister (and to be seen as a normal person). I don’t want to spend so much time learning that I forget the practical. It used to be said that Bible college was not the place to go if you want to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. The idea was you spend so much time studying about Jesus and very little time getting to know Jesus.
That’s a danger for anyone…period. Proverbs 4: 20-23 are verses well worth keeping in mind. “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Emphasis on the last verse. The NLT puts it this way: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” I like that. Where my heart is = the direction of my life. My course in life is not more education. My course in life is to be more intimate with the Father and to pursue that intimacy. “Go there heart. Go there.”
“Father, may that be my deep desire. Not to worry about more education for the sake of education or to have letters after my name (who really cares anyway?). I like being called “Bill” or “Pastor Bill.” May my greatest desire be to know You.”
The last line of your prayer says it all! Amen and Amen!
Like you, Bill, I would much rather know Jesus than spend time passively learning about Him. Knowing Him should be our greatest desire.
Blessings!