Recently I chatted with a little friend who had achieved an impressive growth spurt. She had transformed from a “little person” to a lanky 4-year-old. I asked her what was going to happen if she kept growing so fast. “I’m going to go to school!” was her exuberant answer. Also, not long ago, a young lady I know was lamenting that she didn’t have all the credits for a grade twelve diploma. In her eighteen-year mind, sick and tired of twelve years of study, she reasoned, “I don’t care about a high mark. I just need a diploma!”
I’m guessing this controversy of viewpoint is a poignant example of typical human reaction.
Our life fluctuates from the sparkle in the eye of the beginner to the dogged tramp towards the finish line. Somewhere between these two points we have made choices that produce the results we wish for. If we don’t keep up with a curriculum, we have to, at some point, go back and play “catch up”.
Back in my school teaching time I had a group of brilliant 5th and 6th grade students who were unable to comprehend the grammar that their curriculum required of them. I remember the look of disdain on their faces when I appeared with a stack of 3rd and 4th grade grammar textbooks. We spent a short few study periods of reinstating concepts and grammatical fundamentals. Quite soon, they were ready to resume their studies at their own grade level.
This, too, is an example of all humanity. When we miss foundational essentials, we need to step back and review the points that were not adequately studied, and learned, the first time around.
Often, we as adults make the assumption that we are the bosses of our choices and destiny. We are king! This attitude quickly becomes a deterrent to Christlike behaviour. To become balanced usable vessels following Christ’s command, we do well to become willing to step back and admit our shortfall. Review the teaching we resented the first go around. Learn it again. Such a tenacious approach will keep us humble.
Humble people with profound knowledge are pleasant folks to be around.
