LEARNING!

In theory, I’m the teacher. By all accounts, I’m the one who’s just finished studying. In effect, I’m the dude with the “terminal” degree, teaching, in a graduate school, those who will become Masters of their subject. Prima facie, I’m the prof, professing expertise in my art. Ostensibly, I’m being paid for being such a proficient member of the guild. To all appearances, I’m controlling the learning of my students, ceremoniously unloading my “expertise”, and decreeing their grades as they struggle to grasp the field. On the face of it, I’m done learning; now I’m teaching.

Wrong!

While a Philosophiae Doctor I might have achieved, I ain’t done yet; I’m still learning. While a full-time job in a seminary I might have landed, I’m not just teaching; I’m also learning. And in the six plus weeks since the commencement of my first semester teaching full-time at Dallas Seminary, I’ve learnt much. The interaction with sharp minds in the classroom, the collegial intercourse with fellows on the faculty, the challenge of teaching—codifying, clarifying, communicating, coaching—all of these have been heady stimulants to my own learning. And I am learning, sharpening my thoughts, refining my positions, polishing my ideas. And all this after I—imagine that!—thought I was done with education.

One never is, is one? Especially when one is involved in the study of the deepest Subject of all—our God Himself.

Great are the works
of the LORD.
They are studied
by all who delight in them.
Psalm 111:2

And we believers are to be engaged in that enterprise always; indeed, this is an undertaking that will probably continue throughout eternity.

Let the heart of those
who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD
and His strength.
Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds
which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments
from His mouth.
1 Chronicles 16:10–12

And God Himself seeks those who seek Him.

The LORD has looked down
from heaven upon the sons of men
to see if there are any
who understand,
who seek after God.
Psalm 14:2

People of the ilk of Ezra who …

… set his heart
to study the law of the LORD
and to practice it,
and to teach His statutes
and ordinances ….
Ezra 7:10

This is nothing but an ordering of priorities, an adjustment of values, an estimation of what is really important—the things of God, not the things of man. This is an unvarying focus on those critical issues.

Set your mind
on the things above,
not on the things
that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2

And those embracing this commission to study and seek the Lord—that culminates, of course, in a life of obedience—are to …

… walk as children of Light,
… trying to learn
what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8, 10

Those who do so are, according to the Psalmist, blessed.

How blessed are those
who observe His testimonies,
who seek Him
with all their heart.
Psalm 119:2

The Scriptures go so far as to claim that seeking God is the highest good, with the greatest reward.

The young lions do lack
and suffer hunger.
But they who seek the LORD
shall not be in want
of any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Rest for our souls, as we learn from Christ, of Christ. He reminded us:

“Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle
and humble in heart,
and you will find rest
for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29

Let’s find rest by never ceasing to learn!