Thought for June 29, 2024

• 1613: Shakespeare's Globe Theater burns
• 1954: Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance revoked
• 1956: Eisenhower signs the Federal Interstate Highway System Act
• 1964: NBC approves script for pilot episode of "Star Trek"
• 1969: First Jewish worship service at the White House
• 1972: Supreme Court rules death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment
• 2009: Bernie Madoff sentenced to 150 years in prison
• 2023: Supreme Court rules that race-based college admissions programs are illegal
• Born: Nelson Eddy,  Leroy Anderson ["Syncopated Clock"],  Slim Pickens,  Harmon Killebrew, Gary Busey, Fred Gandy, Dan Dierdorf,  Martin Truex, Kawhi Leonard, 
• Died: Henry Clay, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Jan Paderewski, Jayne Mansfield, Lana Turner, Katherine Hepburn, Carl Reiner, Donald Rumsfeld, Alan Arkin

Thought:

Reading Psalm 143 today. I see two places where David asks the Lord to teach him. In verse 8, David asks the Lord to teach him the way in which he should walk. Then in verse 10, he asks the Lord to teach him to do the Lord's will. Made me think about times when I have asked someone to teach me.

I have to say that my earliest memories of asking to be taught were things like--teach me to ride a bike, teach me to pass a football, teach me to shoot the basketball. Now my parents memory might be different--they wanted to teach me to say "please" and "thank you", "yes sir" and “yes Mam." They wanted to teach me table manners or how to play the piano. 

Have you ever tried to teach someone a lesson or a skill? What was required for learning to occur? 

• A willing teacher. I have noticed that someone who is told to teach something approached it differently than someone who wants to teach something. The willing teacher is enthusiastic, eager, persistent. David asks the Lord to teach him--and the Lord is a willing teacher. There are things the Lord truly wants us to learn--mainly how to be like Him! I praise the Lord that He wants to teach me things that are for my eternal good and for His eternal glory. 
• A willing learner. Here is usually the problem. Sometimes I do not want to be taught. I don't like the subject. I don't think the subject has lasting value. I think there are shortcuts to learning. I hear my grandchildren say, why do I need to know that? Why is that important? I can do the math on my phone or Google the answer to the question. I don't need to memorize the multiplication tables, how to spell words, the geography of the U.S., the State capitols, the Books of the Bible. David asks the Lord to teach him. Makes me ask what have I asked the Lord to teach me? Patience, kindness, gentleness, love, mercy, forgiveness, endurance. I find that I mostly ask for the Lord to do something for me, not to teach me. 
• A willing learner. Yes, I am saying it again because often I start as a willing learner, but then as the Teacher tries to teach me, I lose interest, lose energy, don't finish. What happens--I like to play, not practice; I like to get to the end, but not the repetitions required to really learn. I want to play the piano, but not practice the scales. I want to be a good golfer, but not hit buckets of balls. I want to be a follower of Christ, but don't want the discipline, the commitment, the consistency. 

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray--then they slept while He prayed. Sounds like me. Today, Lord, teach me to do Your will and walk in Your way. I want to be a willing learner. 

Blessings

Larry