Sunday 20 August 2017

How teachable am I?


20/08/17                          How Teachable Am I?
Psalm 32v8  { NIV } I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go
 I will counsel you and watch over you ( with my eye upon you  AV )

      “ There must be a piece missing !” I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said these or similar words, not whilst doing jigsaw puzzles but when struggling to assemble a piece of furniture or other item that comes in a flat pack! My problem is , I think I can ignore the instructions. In other words I think I know best which normally ends up as a DIY disaster . Even when I do find the leaflet somewhere at the bottom of the box and read it somehow I still manage to get it wrong ! I obviously haven’t paid close enough attention, thinking I know best and putting it all together intuitively. My failure to insert the correct part in the proper place can even result in me having to dissemble it and start the last section all over before continuing.  Humiliating!!! I’ve found recently that I even forget to read the shopping list, that my wife has  written for me , carefully enough. I then return home with one or two items missed out or the wrong item simply because I failed to scrutinise the list.  My driving isn’t much better. I infuriate my passenger ( often my wife again ) by ignoring the voice on my SATnav . I end up missing turnings, getting in the wrong lane or travelling in the wrong direction ( I did once end up several miles from my intended destination because I typed in an incorrect number or digit. (Am I the only one who’s done this?) Basically,  I don’t listen or rather if I do listen then something happens to the message to my mind somewhere between my ears and my brain! In the verse above we are told  God  Himself has promised to teach me and instruct me in the Way I SHOULD go .  What security, what comfort, what a relief. There are many ways of teaching a lesson but to me, instructions speak of a more detailed, tailor-made plan, the route I ought to be taking in life. Jeremiah 29v11 For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil , to give you a future and a hope.        He wants to reveal that plan , step by step.
   What else does the verse say? He will counsel me with His eye upon me. My personal counsellor, advisor, guide or life-coach. The Holy Spirit Himself is also known as the Counsellor. We are also told He will constantly ‘watch over us’ or ‘with his eye upon us’ What a reassuring act of providential care. When I was little my parents always endeavoured to keep a close eye upon me. Now that was easy when holding my hand but occasionally, say in a crowded playground or whilst out with friends or on my own , they simply had to trust that I’d be alright. We are never ever out of His sight. Nowhere can we stray from His presence, Praise the Lord ! 
 I got asking myself these things: Am I teachable? Am I humble enough to obey what I’m taught? Do I listen out for His voice or is it lost somewhere in the clamour of other voices and everyday life? Do I want my own way? Am I too busy? The Bible says ‘ Be still and know that I AM GOD’  Can we say with Samuel’ Speak Lord for your servant hears.’ ?
 If we profess to be disciples of Christ then it follows that we are all learners in His school. Christ , the Master, we the learners. What does the Lord want to achieve , instil into our lives through teaching? What does a good teacher or good parent desire from their children ? I would say the number one thing is obedience’ He who has my word and keeps it ,he it is who loves me and he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and show myself to him .’ The reward of obedience. God reveals more of himself.....and we love Him more... and the circle of faith continues.
Daily we must ask the Lord , what do you want to teach me? What do want me to learn  today?
 What are some of the ways God chooses to teach us? I think there are many but among them must be :-
·         Through His Word
·         Through His Spirit
·         Through circumstances
His Word.  2 Timothy 3v16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof and training in righteousness
In scripture it says that God can and does speak also through dreams, pictures and visions.    Peter  in Acts 16 is one example but I feel the most common way he   conveys  His will for  our lives is through His Word. ‘Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4v4      so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55v11
Do I have an appetite for his Word? Is it my daily sustenance?
The Holy Spirit: Luke 12:12 ‘ for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’  In John 14v26 Jesus says ‘But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’   Does this entail some dramatic intervention from God. Not usually. It can be while we wait upon God quietly, while we pray silently, we may be in tune with that ‘still small voice’
Circumstances:  Before I could teach any child in my class effectively it was paramount that I first had their undivided attention. God has to do the same with us.  If the the church is inattentive then God can and will use any means He feels appropriate to Himself to bring us back in line when we’ve strayed or when we become ‘dull of hearing’ .He can evn use adverse circumstances or hostile forces, as He did in the Old Testament. Selwyn Hughes says ‘ God saw it necessary to discipline His people in times past by allowing hostile forces to put them under pressure. Will he do so today? God can and does allow godless influences such as secular humanism or false religions to bring pressure to bear on Christians. Of course, it may be that God not only uses such forces to discipline us  but is teaching us to be loyal to Him and training us to fight in spiritual battles..... God sometimes uses unbelievers to discipline or refine believers eg. An unconverted work colleague to correct a believer, a non-Christian parent to instruct a Christian son or daughter.... few things are more humbling..’
How did God get Jonah’s attention? He certainly learned his lesson the hard way.
Will God deal with me the hard way or will he find me attentive to his voice? If I’m willing He has promised  to lead me gently on ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light’
The  hymn writer  Benjamin Mansell Ramsay expressed his desire to  follow Christ obediently despite doubts, fears and the storms of life :-

‘When doubts and fears arise
Teach thy way.
When storms and o’erspread the skies
Teach me thy way
Shine through the cloud and rain
Through sorrow, toil and pain
Make thou my pathway plain
Teach me Thy way.
.........
Until the race is run
Until the journeys done
Until the crown is won
Teach me Thy way.’

God has promised to teach us His way to the end.
Am I willing to listen? Am I willing to follow instructions?

Am I teachable?