March 31, 2008

  • Learning

    Learning is hard.
    That idea is so simple.
    Learning is hard.

    That's one reason I'm still sitting here trying to understand the "basics" of Econ .
    All my friends tell me, "It's harder for you because it's your first time taking it. We took it in high school."
    So I ask them questions.
    Whenever they answer- it's a reminder for them, and a new thing for me .
    But sometimes, they learn, because I ask about something that they forgot.

    Last night, at my church retreat- a "new learner" reminded me about the love of God.
    We circled around the camp-fire, sitting down on those tiny pebbles that prodded our butts (at least mine). And we just sat there, reflecting- watching this beautiful fire crackle and spark, changing colors from blue to yellow to orange to gold and then green..because someone threw copper inside.
    It was a time of sharing- but there was silence - it's always 'awkward' to share first.

    There's this new girl- who very recently started coming out to our fellowship to explore Jesus.
    And in this time of silence- when no one can really reveal their true selves just yet- she musters up the courage to break the silence and outdo the cracklings of the fire.

    She started out by saying thanks but she was so thankful and so touched that she started crying and crying. Every word came out with true sincerity and the experience that she described could be felt by all of us, because she described a moment that we, as believers in Jesus, first felt when surrounded by loving brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Now here's what I found very encouraging.
    1. She broke down all her walls and in 2 days, was able to reveal herself to us as HER. No one else but her.
    2. She's not discouraged at all, even though her knowledge of the Bible is limited compared to our's.
    3. She continues to seek, continues to ask questions, and hungers for the Word of God .

    Sometimes I think that I've learned a lot - that I'm an "expert in the field." But learning happens everyday. And sometimes, you learn from people who you think knows nothing.
    From her- I  found it so amazing that she was able to encourage all of us just by opening her heart up so easily and so sincerely. As a fellow brother puts it, she was able to "stand naked on the stage," and say - "this is who I am." She reminds me that being a Christian isn't about knowing the Bible, knowing the facts, but it's about the relationship with Jesus.
    And she reminds me that I should STILL continue to seek, ask questions, and be hungry for the Words of God . Because we're on the same boat.

    Learning is hard.
    I once knew everything that she unknowingly taught me - but I forgot it all because
    Learning is hard.

    There are "experts" and there are "n00bs."
    But in God's eyes - I'm the same as her.
    That idea is so simple.
    But learning is just so hard.

    She doesn't know it. But I'm thankful for the openness.

    No - I'm not in love with her . But I was so blessed to see God work in her.
    Retreat was amazing, God-glorifying, eye-opening, heart-ripping, heart-mending, overflowing, learning.
    As always, Jesus Rules`!

Comments (8)

  • haha, you used n00bs in your entry. thanks for sharing this - it was encouraging!

  • :) very true. i actually didn't think about that, but now that you wrote about it...it's so true. it's a real blessing that she was courageous enough to speak out when many of us old learners are too afraid to

  • amenn. how awesome is it that God's overflow of love can be shown through others in such a simple way? i'm glad you had an awesome experience at retreat. :)

  • how awesome is that =]  a good reminder for me too, thanks for the post. This in the midst of studying and midterms and craziness huh? keep it up mr =]

  • hey. that's encouraging, thanks for sharing man!

    :) sounds like she was blessed AND a blessing to you as well.

  • I agree with your statement. Learning is hard because it takes time especially when someone is fresh out of high school. I still have my high school senioritis or whatever it is in me. I tell myself "Oh, this is a piece of cake because in high school we..." then I realize its not. High school and college is soo different right?

    But at the end of the day we still have god with us. :) Take care friend!

  • man, thats what i felt. i feel like learning soo much

  • I was encouraged too her openness during bunk groups was such an encouragement to me... I'm glad that you're reinforcing her learning and the rest of ours too! I wish you could've heard her pray on the last day... it was so sweet. faith like a child.

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment