Are You Teachable?
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! Psalm 143:10 (ESV)
I find enjoyment in learning new things. Most of it is history related and you can throw in some literature and music. I am totally fascinated with Biblical history, you know—who, what, when, where, and how. All these tidbits of trivia are great to have but what am I going to do with them? Not too many people share my interests.
Maybe I should change the focus of my curiosities. Yes, I’ll always take pleasure in learning something new that goes along with my pursuits but there are more important things in this world. Personally, I want to know how to be kinder and get along better with others. That isn’t too much to ask, is it?
We are not always kind in word and deed. If you include the thoughts we have, we are quite a hot mess! In wartime exchange, countries bomb the daylights out of each other. But how many people do we destroy or cripple with unkindness? Our thoughts make us just as guilty as if we had sent an armed missile.
Learning to be kind is not without mistakes. As humans we have a mindset that goes like this: “I’ll treat you the way you treat me.” Very few follow the Golden Rule. Hence, we make no progress. Unconditional love, respect, and kindness (with no strings attached) takes directional thought. Jesus loved unconditionally; why can’t we? Our problem is that our mouths engage and our thoughts fly into action before we think things through.
Kindness isn’t natural, it is taught! Someone must tell us and demonstrate this before we get a clear picture. When I was teaching pre-K, it always made my heart smile when a child was kind to peers without expecting anything in return. Whether it was a hug, sharing, help cleaning up, or picking up dropped papers—I could always spot the children who had phenomenal teachers at home.
For one day, see if you can be kind to two undeserving people. That also means no ugly thoughts about them as well. It isn’t as easy as you think. Just try it!
Gracious God, thank You for all the lessons I’ve learned in my lifetime. Please continue to teach me in the way I should go. Show me Your will and give me the desire to be kind. AMEN.