What is the best way for you to learn something new? Some people can just read or hear the instructions and visualize exactly what needs to be done. Others need to see a live or video demonstration before they get it. While still others have to actually have hands on experience before they get it down pat. There is an old Chinese proverb that describes that third group. “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
Over the years, I trained many new hires with no previous experience. I encountered trainees from all three of those groups, but even those who were quick to learn, got more understanding of their new job when they were in the field doing the work under my supervision. Education will take you just so far, but practice makes perfect.
You may be wondering what this has to do with living a Christian life. I think there is a strong parallel between learning a new job and learning your new life as a redeemed child of God. God has given you an instruction book or manual for your relationship with Him – the Bible. He has also provided an instructor to help you understand that manual – the Holy Spirit. Even more importantly, the instructor is there with you as you apply the instructions of the manual to your everyday life. He dwells in your heart to guide and supervise you as you get involved in living the life God has planned personally for you.
There is one other group of people I haven’t mentioned. They refuse to read instructions or manuals. They think they can figure it out as they go. They don’t even want to ask someone else for help or directions. Tradition tells us that more men fall into that category than women, but I’m not sure if that is true. What I do know for certain is that a life of trial and error will produces just as many failures as successes. Experience may be the best teacher but those lessons can also be the most painful.
Daily, prayerful study of the Bible is essential to our Christian life. Just as important is learning to recognize the instructions and promptings of the Holy Spirit and heeding them. But it isn’t until we get involved; applying what we have learned by putting it into action in our daily life that we truly understand what it means to follow Christ.