Are You Still Learning?

What’s it like getting older?

American author and poet Maya Angelou was asked this question on a talk show.  Her response?   “It’s exciting.”

Here’s what she went on to  say “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”

“I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.”

“I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.'”

“I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.”

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”

“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.”

“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”

“I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.”

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget How you made them feel.”

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”

What  wonderful words of wisdom from this grand lady!  However, as I contemplated Angelou’s advice, I realized that it had a Biblical basis—either directly or indirectly in principle.  If you thought about it, you could probably find a passage for each point she made.

Her words reminded me of  one of the Bible’s greatest men–the apostle Paul  He had impressive credentials.  He was educated.  He had enjoyed many privileges. And had achieved spiritual  success in his ministry, for which he gave God the glory. He preached the gospel. Defended the truth. Planted churches.  Converted the lost. But also had suffered.  He had been beaten. Stoned. Shipwrecked.  Imprisoned.  As he result, Paul had learned some important lessons in his life experience.

Paul was an aged man when he wrote these words from a prison in Rome.

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.   I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:11-13)

It’s good to learn as we get older.  What a shame it is to see someone who never can seem to learn life’s lessons.  When we learn, we can improve our relationships, develop a spirit of inner peace, and make fewer mistakes along life’s journey.  We can learn from the wisdom of contemporary authors and educators.  But we can learn even more from the inspired writers of the Bible.  We can learn lessons that not only improve our lives, but prepare us for death, and  also for eternity.

What are you learning?  Drink deeply from the Book of Knowledge and wisdom.  But also learn from the experiences of life.  Don’t miss out.  You’re not too old to learn!  Learn something today!

Ken Weliever, The Preacherman