I hold in my hand a list of fifteen names. They are my new students coming to class tonight for the first time. It is less than two hours from now and I am sure a good share of them are apprehensive. They don’t know me. They don’t know if I will be demanding and harsh. They don’t know if their 4.0 average is in jeopardy. They don’t know if I am going to demand so much written work that they will have little time left for their spouses (spice). They don’t know it yet but they are in for a treat. Not because I am so wonderful but because I happen to believe learning should be a pleasant experience filled with new insights to delight the mind. Again, not because I am so full of such knowledge, but because my pupils are graduate students, each a repository of life experiences. My job is to help them remember them and share them with the others.
In Matthew 11 Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Their yoke for the next four months will be light if they will engage. If they will share the load and be open to new ideas. Their yoke will be light if they will be willing to be non-judgmental and tolerant of those who they do not agree with.
Jesus is that way. He is patient and tolerant. He is anxious to share new thoughts with us (God’s thoughts). He is the greatest teacher of all and spending time with Him is the greatest learning experience ever.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 23, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org