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(Caveat:
This is not to criticize or put
down anyone for their past choices.
This is meant for today to encourage
education at its best, and to call
attention to the important role
it plays in the Lord's service and
work in this world. It is a call
to think about all choices and to
always do the best you can. As believers,
keep in mind that we are Ambassadors
from the Kingdom of the Lord, and
our representations effect how people
look at Him, the Church and His
servants. What has made me think
of this, is the fact that in recent
years I have seen so many brilliant
people hurting and suffering because
of poor education and communication
skills.)
There
is a great tragedy that happens
to many in this country. No, it
will not be in the headlines of
the newspapers. Sadly it will not
be noted in Christian homes and
colleges as an attack against Christianity.
And, no, people will not be sending
e-mails, articles and warnings to
all their friends, nor will they
be calling their Congressmen, or
others in power, crying for something
to be done.
As
in the saying long ago uttered by
Benjamin Franklin - Genius without
education is like silver in the
mine. The lack of education is the
stumbling block to many wonderful
Christians. They have brilliant
ideas and convictions that could
change their corner of the world,
or even the whole world. However,
for some reason in their formative
years, they could not or chose not
to take advantage of the teaching
and training available to make their
gifts shine. Some grew up in a time
when education was almost laughed
at as a "sissy" or "lazy" type of
activity. Some were discouraged
even by their own parents and family
who more needed them to do work
around the home or help with some
family business. That being the
easy way out, many applied themselves
to plain hard work and the simple
pleasures in life. Of course, if
that is what you are called to do,
then you should do it the best you
can. However, many wonderful ideas,
gifts and talents have been wasted
that would have enriched all the
world, because they were buried
like a precious ore deep in the
earth never to be "mined". Others
worked like Trojans to get through
the work and needs required of them
by their parents or families, so
they could spend all the proceeds
on weekends filled with activities
of the community and church, or
sadly for some on decadent indulgences.
Others chose for themselves to always
take the easy route in spite of
the pleas of parents, family and
friends. Always, if they had a great
idea or inspiration to create or
do anything, the thought of the
hard work it would involve completely
turned them off and they would turn
from the dig where they had found
such a treasure and left it almost
covered in the muck and mire of
laziness.
A
wonderful, dedicated president of
a Christian University told me once
that Christians above all others
should strive to be the best educated,
best trained and best at trying
to excel in life. Our dear Savior
and Lord was known as a teacher
as well as a preacher for a good
reason. After we accept Him as our
Savior and Lord that is a beginning,
not an end, to all that is to be
done through us as a witness and
servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we are to fully glorify His Name
and be able to converse with all
manner of people, we need to be
well-educated so that we can meet
people in all walks of life who
are involved in myriads of occupations
and interests. While the gospel
is simple so that even a child can
understand it in order to come to
know Him as our Savior, we are admonished
in the Holy Bible to grow and learn
about Holy things so that we might
show ourselves approved - workmen
worthy of our hire. To share what
we learn and the experiences of
our growing in the Lord, we need
to be able to communicate well.
No
honest work should be considered
base no matter what the actual job
is - be it a garbage collector,
clerk or CEO. But, no matter what
their life's work is, applying themselves
in school in the basics that promote
clear communication - grammar, spelling,
reading and writing can be the avenue
that leads to being able to win
souls through clear communication
of God's Word and to establish a
relationship through which they
can work to help others in all stations
of life and work. If you ignore
education, often it will cause others
not to take education or you seriously.
I am urging all young people to
first get a good basic education
before deciding what you want to
do in life. For older people, you
can still take time to learn some
basic rules of grammar, spelling
and English composition, so that
you will appear authoritative and
be taken seriously when you communicate
to people.
People
are cruel and harsh in their judgments
of others if they do not know them
and will not try to get to know
someone at times if they do not
have respect for them. If you speak
or write poorly, often and sadly,
others will discount even the most
brilliant ideas and the greatest
testimonies of personal faith, because
unconsciously, they think, "What
do they know? They obviously did
not care enough about themselves
to apply themselves to the education
that was so freely available to
them." For the Lord's glory and
for more chances to reach others,
please get all the education you
can. Then, whatever you choose to
do, however lowly, simple or complicated
your work is, you will always come
across as someone who strives to
do his best. Just as we try to wear
our best clothes, appear neat and
clean when we attend our church
services, so we should try to present
ourselves well-educated in the basics
of communication so that it shows
in our speech and writing.
For parents, please consider the
priorities for your children and
encourage them first of all to know
the Lord and then to be the best
they can be by getting a good basic
education. Then keep an eye on the
things in which they seem to excel
and help them all you can to give
them opportunities to grow to be
the best. We are always thrilled
to see a great athlete, a successful
businessman or celebrity to put
God first and live as a witness
for Him. So much of successful Christian
living begins in the home with watchful,
loving and wise parental guidance.
God
bless you.
Mother Marj
Copyright Marjorie Taylor Castleberry
2011
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