That's great-- but. . . .

Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. 
–William Shakespeare


From the time we are born, we are learning, acquiring information about the world around us. Every sight, every new sound helps us discover and learn more about the people and places in our lives.

Then the “formal” learning begins. Whether in a classroom with twenty other children or at home with just a few, we are taught facts and figures, math and geography. Facts, facts, facts.

Even in Sunday school we are pressed to learn. You may have memorized the Ten Commandments or Psalm 23. You probably learned about the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son—and that’s all great. It’s a lot of information for young brains.

But now we are older. And I wonder: have we gone beyond information? Have we allowed these passages and parables into our hearts, and been transformed by them?

Are we able to show greater compassion to the broken soul by the side of the road, or do we avert our eyes and assume someone else will help?

Do we stand expectantly at the door, arms wide open, eager to welcome the one who strayed from the fold? Have we truly learned to love our neighbor as we have been loved?

We can store information neatly in our brains, but until we “bridge the gap” between our head and our heart, our journey is incomplete. Christ’s transformation is always a work in progress; without it, knowledge alone is insufficient.

Monday Remember for a few minutes your church background (or lack thereof). How important is knowledge of Scripture to you? Psalm 19:7-10

Tuesday Meditate today on the idea of compassion. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person? Pray for a softer heart. Romans 10:10

Wednesday As you go about your living today, open your eyes. Look for people you might otherwise not see. If nothing else, offer a whisper of prayer. Deuteronomy 15:4

Thursday Take an honest look at your heart. What keeps you from doing more? Listen for excuse-making. If you passed someone as the Samaritan did, what would you do? Luke 10:25-37

Friday Do you remember a time when, like the Prodigal, you disappointed a parent or other significant adult in your life? Or perhaps you’ve been the one disappointed? Pray for reconciliation or forgiveness if necessary. Luke 15:11-32

Saturday As you pray today for yourself, offer yourself again as God’s hands in this world. Listen for opportunities, however small, to serve. Luke 21:1-4

Sunday There are strangers in our midst, people we may see every week and never greet. Welcome someone you’ve never welcomed before—and do so with an open mind and heart. Matthew 25:34-40


Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes. 
–Peter Drucker

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