Be Open to Instruction

I maintain that we must be lifelong learners. Continuously looking to increase in knowledge. This morning I was led to the beginning of Proverbs and realize that I have written often on the subject from this passage. I have to remember not to sit and think that I have learned it all I must continue to read in search of learning more and more each day.

“⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

All of my knowledge and learning begins with the knowing and fearing of the LORD. When I know Him and fear Him and all that He is and can do, I will be more open to listening to that which He would have me learn. I think of one of my favorite teachers in school who was one that I respected and wanted to attend class. I looked forward to class to learn about the subject and all else that was being taught. Learning from the LORD is something that I must be looking forward to and it all starts with knowing Him.

I have to be open to instruction and learning. I feel as though in society today, there is a thought that everything needed to know has already been taught and it can be found at our fingertips to use when the time comes. But is that really knowing? It is in the instruction that real knowledge is transferred. I can watch a video to see and replicate the steps to replacing the brake pads on my car, but do I really know and understand all of the workings of them. I can watch someone paint a masterpiece and follow along with the brush strokes, but am I an artist at that point. There are things that are internal and those things are learned from others and transferred into the heart. The LORD is where we will find our instruction for life and in order to truly dig in and understand, I have to fear and know the Him to want and internalize the instruction.

I have to want to learn and when I do, I am open to instruction from those that know. I want to know how to be more like Christ and therefore I must be open to instruction from Him. I have to know that He is the leading authority and will guide me where He wants me, through my openness to instruction. The same holds true in this world. I must know what it is that I am looking to become and find the leading resources of that thing and then seek them out to know and learn from them to know. I have to be open to being out of my comfort to find and know them to learn from them.

What is it that you seek to know? Where are you seeking to find that? What if you were to start with knowing them and being open to instruction from them?