Proverbs 12:1 (ESV) 1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Back in fifth grade, I had an absolutely amazing teacher. Her name was Mrs. Koehler. I always loved going to school during fifth grade because I knew she was going to greet me there! I was engaged during my classes there in this little rural school in the middle of Southern Illinois.
She was so encouraging, engaging, and friendly and kind to everyone in her class! Likely most of us have memories of such teachers we cherished and valued. However, what stood out the most about her is that she was challenging.
She wouldn’t let you rest on your laurels, as I painfully discovered one day. During my fifth-grade year I was considered “top of the class” so to speak. As much as a fifth grader can be that is hahaha! However, that mentality gave way to arrogance. One day during our algebra lessons, I started doodling and daydreaming. My teacher noticed this was not the norm for me and asked me to stay after for a moment. She asked me what was going on and if I was alright? In my arrogance I responded, “This stuff is too easy for me, I don’t need to listen to get another A.”
She very gently, but also very firmly reminded me of something that to this day I will never forget. “Nobody will want to teach you, if you will never want to learn.”, she warned me. What a profound thought now that I am 40…back when I was 10 I brushed it off with a smile and said, “Yeah you’re right.”
The next few days I continued to blow the lessons off. Then came our typical Friday workshop. We would put everything we learned that week to the test. The tests came across our desks, and I started working. I realized very quickly I had made a huge mistake. I had no idea what was on this paper, while all of my classmates had their pencils moving at what seemed like light speed.
I sheepishly took the paper up to ask questions of the teacher, as she would typically allow. This time the outcome was different. “Well, you already know how to do this so why don’t you go sit back down and finish it up?”, she said with a warm and also knowing smile. I can still see the look in her eyes while she gave me that smile.
I failed that test. My first ever “F” grade on an assignment in my life. All because of my unteachability and arrogance.
In the scripture above we are given a very short, but also very pointed reminder from God. If you do not love to be brought correction and what we would call “critical feedback” …you don’t love knowledge and truth. Those who are against it are “stupid.” How often have you been in a scenario similar to the above? Where you “knew what to do” only to have it catastrophically blow up in your face in a most grand way?
Each of us likely has several memories that stand out. This is why it is SO critical to nurture a teachable spirit in your own heart. Let me be lovingly blunt, as my fifth-grade teacher was to me…YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS!!!
You are like a mere speck in the grand orchestrations of our God and His Kingdom. Surely you are loved and cherished as His Child if you are in Christ…yet let me be clear. Your singular life is miniscule in the grand scheme of things. So why would we think that the fraction of a fraction of a fraction of knowledge we have is anything of consequence? It isn’t! This is a humbling reminder that God as our primary teacher, will sometimes bring people to us that will also bring healthy feedback and instruction.
If you are unwilling to even hear them out and look at this scenario from their perspective, you might very well be as the Scripture says…. stupid. Hey, don’t get mad at me…God said it, I’m just writing it down here.
Don’t Be Stupid! ;)
SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!!
