There's a Big Difference

A new school year. Plenty of challenging subjects, and a lot to learn. I remember ninth grade Algebra. The concept was foreign. It felt like combining an English lesson with math – all those letters mixed in with numbers. It didn’t seem right.

A couple days into the class and I knew I needed help. Problems stared back at me on my homework assignment, and all I could do was stare back. Dad to the rescue. He taught me the principle that ‘what you do to one side of the problem, must be done to the other side.’ At first, I just watched him solve a problem. It still wasn’t making sense. The fog wasn’t lifting.

When it was my turn, I tried following the same pattern, but I was lost. My goal was to finish my homework, I really wasn’t applying myself to learning this strange new subject. My Dad tried explaining the process another way. By the end of the evening, both of us were frustrated, but I had gotten through the homework.

The next day in Algebra, the proverbial light bulb went off in my head. It all made sense. What my Dad had walked me through the night before, combined with the teacher’s explanation gave way to understanding. I was no longer mortified to step to the chalkboard and solve a problem because I was able to apply what I had learned. Ah, what a good feeling!

Sometimes Biblical principles are like that Algebra lesson. I know what God is saying, but I’m not focused on applying His truth to my life. There’s a big difference between knowing some facts and being able to apply them to real life.

I know God’s Word places an emphasis on loving others. In fact, almost an entire chapter in the New Testament is devoted to defining what ‘love’ is and is not. The Apostle Paul writes, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, “ (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; KJV).

I may have this entire passage committed to memory, but when I’m in a situation that challenges me to demonstrate love to someone, and I respond selfishly and in anger, I’ve clearly missed the point. There’s a disconnect somewhere between my head and my heart. I may need to revisit these verses and analyze my actions. When I understand what they’re saying, I can make the choice to apply their meaning in my personal relationships.

Learning a bunch of facts that I can quote, pales in comparison to being able to take what I’ve learned and apply it to every area of my life. Living out my Christianity involves more than just reading the Bible and being familiar with what it says. It’s actively applying the concepts that are contained in its pages. Today I choose to bridge the gap between my head and my heart, living out the principles pleasing to my Heavenly Father.

Do you struggle with a disconnect? What will you do today to apply what you know to be true?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for revealing the disconnect between knowing something and being able to apply it. Help me to understand what Your Word says and apply it to every situation in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Fry Now...Pay Later

'Sun' and 'damage.' Two words that I don't normally think of in the same sentence. After all, I love being outside on bright sunny days. And doesn't a tan look healthy? Damage from the effects of the sun on my skin is the farthest thing from my mind. But a trip to the dermatologist put some things into perspective for me.

A mole that I've had for years was the subject in question. The dermatologist referred to it as 'atypical.' That didn't sound too good! I was reminded of all the times I had been out in the sun, sans sunscreen - from my teenage years into my twenties. Okay, I have to admit that even as recently as this summer, I've worked out in the yard minus the sunscreen, a time or two.

I think back to my high school days, when I spent hours in the sun before heading off to work. I can still see my Dad shaking his head and hear him saying, "You're doing it to your skin again!" But at seventeen, with not a wrinkle in sight, all I was interested in was a deep, dark tan. I was willing to ignore the posters that warned, "Fry now...pay later!"

Looking back, I would have been wise to heed his words of wisdom. Properly applying sunscreen and limiting my exposure to the sun would have minimized the pigment spots, moles, and fine lines and wrinkles. But instead of listening to his advice, I chose to do things my way - learning by experience.

We really DO learn by one method or the other. Either we listen to wise advise and act on it. Or we choose to ignore counsel and attend the School of Hard Knocks. I'm reminded of the instructions God gave the children of Israel.

He had reviewed the commandments with them and proceeded to give them a list of all the blessings they'd receive IF they obeyed His directions. Then He outlined an ominous list of curses that would plague them if they chose to disobey. Much the same thing we do with our own children. Outlining the good that comes from obedience, and the consequences that result from disobedience.

I'm sure you're familiar with the story of the Israelites. At times they obeyed God whole-heartedly - for awhile. But by and large, they drifted back to their sinful ways or those of the surrounding cultures. Before I simply write them off as a stubborn and rebellious lot, I need to take a look at my own life.

Do I have a teachable spirit? Am I willing to take God at His word and believe Him? Do I believe His Word is the truth? If the answer is 'Yes' to each of these questions, then I need to live like it. I need to give God top priority in my life. I'm to, "...love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might," (Deuteronomy 6:5; KJV). When I obey, His blessings follow. When I put myself first, I follow in the footsteps of the prideful and end up in a mess. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall," (Proverbs 16:18).

God created me with a free will. I can choose my method of learning. The Bible is filled with wisdom and the right way to handle all kinds of situations. Will I choose to believe the truth of God's Word and live according to it, or will I go my own way, and ignore instruction? Today I choose to listen to God's instruction.

Do you listen to godly counsel or have to learn things the hard way? Accept counsel from the Word of God, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, " (James 4:7-8a).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your instruction manual, the Bible. Forgive me for the times that I'm stubborn and go my own way in spite of being warned. Help me to have a teachable spirit and to be willing to learn from godly counsel. In Jesus' name, Amen.