Several years ago I had the privilege to witness a wonderful scene. It was a beautiful Kentucky spring day. Kids were outside playing in the neighborhood. We were sitting around the the table talking about life when a raucous came from the front room. Several children came running in the oldest carrying a robin. “Mom!” the boy cried. It was obvious the bird was dead. With tears in his eyes, he looked at his mom with hope that she could do something. And she did.
“I am so sorry sweetheart,” she said compassionately. “The robin is dead. There is nothing I can do about it.” She loved him. “Listen, not a single little bird falls from the sky without God knowing and caring. But as much as He cares for this little bird, His love for you is greater.”
This mom seized the teachable moment to put truth into the heart of her son.
Jesus is the author and perfector of life. He is our teacher in this human experience. He uses our life experiences to teach us about Himself, our selves and others. He takes advantage of the teachable moments to get His truth into our hearts.
But it doesn’t happen automatically. Knowing how to learn the lesson Jesus is teaching is paramount to Life Transformation. It all begins with opening our eyes to the teachable moments in our lives.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Moses gives us 4 principles to help us follow through on what God is teaching us.
- Get God’s Word Inside of You. Moses wrote, “These commandments are to be upon your hearts.” Head knowledge is not enough. There has to be drop from your head into your heart. This goes along with the idea of “being transformed by the renewing of your mind” from chapter 12 of Romans. As God’s word penetrates your heart, you begin to be changed in the way you think. You take on a new worldview based on God’s thoughts.
- Sharpen Your Mind with Truth. Moses wrote, “Impress them on your children.” The Hebrew word for impress means to whet or sharpen. The transition of knowledge to wisdom happens when we are able to apply God’s truth effectively in our lives. It is no longer an academic endeavor, but it becomes a life skill useful for making good decisions.
- Discussion Helps Discern God’s Lesson. Moses wrote, “Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Life Transformation comes in a learning rhythm. Learning takes place in the routines of daily life as well as the spontaneous encounters. There is also wisdom in many counselors. Ultimately though you have to discern God’s voice which speaks consistently with scripture.
- Keep the Simple Truth Before You. Moses wrote, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Once you have the lesson God is wanting to teach you, you have to plan the change in your life.
There are two tools to help us see the change in our lives. However, before I give these tools to you, I have to warn you. The proof they are affective is the push back your sinful nature will have against you when I suggest them. Here they are:
- Write down the change as a goal. I don’t have to share the data about how much more effective we are when we write something down. But I will share that in my own life, I have found writing them in a journal provides not only an accountability, but a record of my life transformation.
- Tell a friend. Writing it down provides personal accountability. But telling a friend takes accountability to the next level. We like to call this accountable grace. We do not have a list of religious rules, but once you have discerned what God is asking you to do, with grace, forgiveness and a lot of mercy, we hold each other accountable to these changes in our life.
Jesus wants to train you how to live life to the fullest. He does this through His word, but within the context of a life being lived out. Bible study is important for knowing God’s truth, but only in the lab of life does it move from knowledge to wisdom.
If you would like more information on how to best learn from Jesus, please feel free to contact me.
Inside HIS Grace 