Inspiration

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV)
Fall is here and with it a return to school. As a child and young adult, I used to love fall and the beginning of school with opportunities to learn. A new teacher. Books to read. Knowledge to be gained. Unless of course, it was in mathematics. My second grade report card states that the teacher had difficulty getting me to learn my numbers because I was such an eager reader. I rushed through the parts I didn’t like because I was addicted to books. Now, as a parent, I hate the thought of getting up at the crack of dawn, fixing lunches, and overseeing homework, but, a part of me still longs to sit inside a classroom again. I find such joy in learning new things and stretching my mind beyond the routine. Oh, the thrill of finally “getting it” when a difficult concept suddenly makes sense! I remember all the wonderful teachers who shared their knowledge, motivated me to study harder and go beyond the acquisition of facts to synthesize what I had learned, think about its meaning and apply it to my life. I recently read this quote from William Arthur Ward, a Christian educator and writer. He said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” I have been blessed to have many inspiring teachers in my life and strive to be one myself. How wonderful it is to know that my words and stories will live on for generations in the hearts and minds of my students. I hope that they will also be inspired to live a better life or see things a different way, but my words will not live forever. There is One whose Word will never fail, the greatest teacher of all, our Heavenly Father who gave us the Bible, like a textbook on how to live our lives. 2 Timothy 3:14-18 tells us that God inspired these words or as some versions say, they were “God breathed.” Are you inhaling some of God’s breath each day? Sometimes, I suffer from asthma, and without taking a puff of medicine in my lungs, I feel sick, lifeless and weary. I cannot skip a treatment or my condition gets worse. Living our lives without a daily dose of God’s Word is like trying to run your car without gasoline or your body without food. God’s Word, like a great teacher, not only directs our path each day, but arouses within us a desire to learn more and to know the author with greater intimacy. I don’t have to wait for fall or return to school in order to be motivated and encouraged. All I have to do is open up my Bible. While these scriptures point out the benefit of studying them from childhood, it is never too late to learn. What about you? Start today sitting at the feet of the greatest Teacher of all. Through His Scripture, He will inspire you, as well.