“Jesus, what do you want me to learn from this?”

This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is good for you
    and leads you along the paths you should follow. - Isaiah 48:17

“Jesus, what do you want me to learn from this?”

Jesus was a master teacher. He still is. Teachers change lives by opening up hearts and minds to learn and grow. That is what Jesus wants to do in us. 

Think back to the teachers in your life that helped shape you into the person you are today. 

For me…

...Mr. Bob Guthrie who was not only my 6th grade math teacher but also our Scoutmaster who taught me a lot about life, responsibility, faithfulness, and diligence. 

...Mrs. Jackie Davis who was my English Lit teacher in high school who taught us to go the extra mile, always give your best and strive for excellence. She wasn’t very tall, but she was a force of nature. You didn’t want to disappoint her. 

...Dr. Sam Simmons who was my first prof in seminary and who got me started on a path that I would not have ever chose on my own but would surely have regretted it if I hadn’t. 

Who is it for you?

Jesus is that for all who call Him Savior and Lord. He teachers through His Word, His Spirit and through circumstances. 

One of the most critical things you can do when you find yourself in a situation where you have no idea what to do, or when it looks like everything is falling apart,  and the wheels are about to fall off, is to stop and pray, asking Jesus, “What do you want me to learn from this?” 

“What are you teaching me?”… 

… “a greater dependance on You?”

… “a greater understanding of who You are?”

… “Patience?”…  “Endurance?” … “Resilience?”…  “To trust You?”…  “To be kind?”… “What to do to help someone else who is facing what I just went through?” “How much You really love me?” 

There is so much to learn when we are following Jesus and on a path to become more like Him. 

Unfortunately, one of the most effective ways He teaches us is through difficult circumstances. It’s the hard times that teach us the most. A divorce. A failure. A financial disaster. A broken relationship. An unfulfilled dream. A time of darkness. A time of silence. 

Perhaps, it is during these times that we are most open to learning, that is why they are the most effective times. Simon Peter learned a lot about following Jesus by faith when he began to sink while walking on water.  He learned that steps of faith are a great time to learn that Jesus will reach out to rescue you whenever you need Him to. He wouldn’t have learned that if He had stayed in the boat. 

We are to keep on learning and growing all of our lives until the end of our life. We are always in the process of learning from Jesus because He is always teaching us. 

So, what are you learning from Him today?

What is He teaching you right now in this point in your life?

If you are not sure, are you willing to pray, “Jesus, what do you want me to learn from this?”