Study the word? What?

I still have a vivid memory of one of the first speeches a senior teacher gave my class when we entered 6th form. We were proud young men, having reached the head of our high school. Man a yard!

"Gentlemen, for 5 years you learnt how to regurgitate what you were told. Now you have to learn how to think and not be parrots. Contrary to popular opinion, thinking does not come naturally. Thinking implies questioning, understanding, and formulating opinions and ideas with what you are told."

My first thought was, "Regurgi-what?"

I soon learnt that swatting, which was just memorising the material, was no longer enough to do well in exams. In fact, it was a revelation when I realised that if I understood the material, it was easier to remember than memorising it. The next hurdle to cross was figuring out when I really understood something. I stumbled upon this when a friend asked me to help him with a maths problem, and I soon realised that I could not explain how to arrive at the solution because I didn't really understand how I came to the solution. 

Eureka!

If I can explain it, then I understand it. If I can't explain it, then I don't understand it. I had discovered the holy grail! I finally figured what studying really was. The rest of my scholastic career was based on this simple principle, and it has served me very well in my working career also.

Many years later, I was in a discussion with a family acquaintance who believed that God existed, but he shocked me by saying that he did not believe that Christianity was the only way to God. That other religions had just as much validity, and could also be legitimate paths to God. For a moment I was speechless. Flabbergasted! I didn't know what to say. I knew I had to say something, but what? I was very uncomfortable with his assertion, but I had no response. It was many days, if not weeks later that I found the answer, but I was very disappointed in myself that I didn't remember the passage or the principle at the time when I needed it. I never saw that friend again. He died a few years ago, and I do not know if he ever heard the truth.

What is the truth?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV) 

It still bothers me that I couldn't remember the passage during that conversation, and I am irritated when I can't remember where I had read a passage, and I want to refer to it in a time of need. You see, I have always been an avid reader of the bible. I'll admit that I struggled at first understanding the King James version, but then an aunt gave me a NIV student's bible and it was truly a God send. Since then I have spent many wonderful hours reading.

I am embarrassed to say that it has only just occurred to me that the problem is not related to my poor memory, but me not applying a principle I had learnt many years ago. I need to study, not just read. Understand, apply and explain it to someone. God's word is alive in you when you read it and apply it. Study it, understand it and bring it alive by explaining it to someone.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)


Peace and Love