Job 12:7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you.”

Here Job is responding to the intellectual conceit of his friends, but this verse and those following express an important truth that Paul expressed to the Romans: “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20) Yogi Berra put it another way: “You can observe a lot by looking.” God is constantly teaching us, if we have hearts to learn, and His “teaching tools” surround us. This is a major part of being a disciple. I like the fact that the Japanese word for disciple also means apprentice, because apprentices should be constantly learning, even if not in formal teaching situations. Too often our attitude is, “My mind is made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” That is said as a joke, but we see examples all around us, sadly with tragic consequences. It’s not that we can’t learn things that are absolutely true, it’s just that there’s always more to learn. We shouldn’t let that paralyze us; we have to operate on the basis of what we know at any given moment. However, we must operate in humility, or the pride of Satan will be our downfall. As Paul said, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) If we have that fundamental awareness, we will not only keep learning ourselves, we will be useful to God in leading others into His truth as well.

As someone with Teacher gifting, this is very close to my heart. I desire to learn and generally delight in doing so, but I have noticed that sometimes I get tired of learning, and that is risky. I want to stay sharp, to keep learning for as long as I’m in this body, so I must never think that I know enough, much less everything. I’m delighted when my children express constant curiosity, and I’m inspired by my biochemist uncle, who was still learning when he graduated to heaven at 93. Some of the most tragic situations I run into are people who have believed a lie of the devil and are too proud to accept anything that counters that. There is of course a difference between information and truth, though there is overlap. I have seen people who have been so obsessed with information that they lost sight of truth, and I have been in that boat myself. That’s what Paul was talking about when he said, “Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) Jesus is both love (1 John 4:8) and truth (John 14:6). I’ve got to operate in His love and truth if I am to keep learning as He intends.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for the events of yesterday that laid the foundation for this. Thank You that I could teach the first session on Motivational Gifts, and for how it was received. I pray that my gifting would be exercised as You intend, building others up for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!