Motivating students to want to learn is probably the most difficult task a teacher faces. Why else would students ask the age old question, “When will we ever use this in real life?” Sometimes it feels like I’m dropping pearls of wisdom on deaf ears. There is nothing more deflating than being in the middle of giving a brilliant (if I do say so myself) lesson or reading a life changing piece of literature and having a student interrupt to ask the most banal, unrelated, or downright ridiculous question. It is so frustrating when I assign important homework that is critical to the students’ understanding of a major concept only to have them blow it off and show up unprepared. Even worse is when I spend extra time outside of class to really make certain a child understands a concept with which they’ve been struggling only to have them ask if they can get their grade and leave already. 😒
I wonder how often God feels the same way about me. How motivated am I to grow spiritually? How often am I distracted and off topic during worship? How much time do I spend in personal spiritual disciplines outside of worship? It is easy for me to become frustrated with my students, but I find it difficult when the focus turns to my own desire to learn and grow. I want my class to recognize my wisdom, but do I take time to heed God’s message about wisdom: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”? (Proverbs 4:6-7)
God is wisdom, truth, and life (Ephesians 3:10; John 14:6). We have His words written for us in a book for which many people have died throughout history, yet we take it all for granted (Proverbs 2:6; Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16). I might read the Bible some…when I have time. Sure, I pray…a little. I serve…when I can find the time. In truth, many times my attitude towards spiritual learning is not too far off from my students’ attitude towards their studies. Let us take time today and each day to truly seek to hear God’s wisdom for our lives. Let us be motivated to learn from Him and serve Him while we are able. “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” (Proverbs 16:16)