Back To School
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (Luke 2: 46-47).
It's that time of year again. After what seemed to be a brief summer, children everywhere are flocking back to a more disciplined way of life. School is here - new supplies, new clothes, new shoes, new teachers, new friends, and new goals. For some, this will be their first experience. I can recall some of my back to school moments. I was usually quite anxious about how things would turn out. I was such a perfectionist (still am). I knew that the only way I was going to achieve success was by applying myself. To me, going to school was more than just seeing my friends, or playing on the basketball team. It was more about me being on the cutting-edge of learning. I seemed to always feel ahead of the game when I knew something my friends didn't know. It gave me a sense of empowerment, which explains why I would often tutor during recess.
People who learn more have a tremendous advantage in life than those who don't. The sad reality is that the average American spends more time watching television than learning something that will position them for success. Do you really want to spend the majority of your life watching other people work, act silly, get rich, and live out their dreams while you lolly gag? Don't just be a wisher. Be a work in progress. It's not enough to just have dreams. What are you doing to prepare for it? If you're not where you want to be, it only means you don't qualify, yet. But don't lose heart. This is your season to go back to school. I'm not talking about a school building. I'm talking about your life-building strategy for success. You're never too old to learn. Life will teach you. While you may think things are slow, and that it's not happening fast enough, stop and ask yourself - "What am I learning during the process?" Be teachable. The Bible says that people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, not money, or miracles. What books are you reading? What was the last conference, workshop, class, or retreat you attended? If you want to earn more, learn more.
For the next few days I want you to be thinking about what you need to do to get ready for when opportunity knocks. Do you need to go back to college? Would learning a foreign language prepare you? Do you need to get your body in better physical shape? Should you expand your reading skills, business skills, sales skills, negotiation skills, or computer skills? Who is your mentor, or life coach? Stop playing around. Life is too short to just sit around watching everyone else fulfill their dream. Be more productive with your time. What you do now will make a difference later. Even Jesus, the Perfect Lamb of God, took time to learn. That explains why people were so astonished at him. Whatever you need to do to get ready, start now. Make a list of things you can be doing or learning so that when opportunity knocks, you can answer by saying, "I'm ready!"
- Pastor John Barton