I Need New Crayons
It’s “new crayon box” time of year! It’s that season when you feel the need to buy pencils (#2 and colored), spiral notebooks, fresh unbroken crayons (in a crisp box with a built-in sharpener), highlighters and a ‘first day’ outfit. Even though I am long passed being considered “school-age” those crayon boxes call my name when I enter my local discount store. I still think fresh pages in a pristeen spiral notebook are exciting. And even though I have no first-day to celebrate, I want to purchase a complete new outfit to wear somewhere -anywhere! Ahh, the beginning of a new school year!
I recently read Psalm 25 in The Message, and verse 4 reads like this: “Show me how You work, God; school me in your ways.” That word school grabbed my attention. Maybe it’s because I’m still pining for a new box of crayons. More likely, God’s Holy Spirit was speaking. I began to brainstorm concepts I connected with school:
* learning * listening * writing out new ideas * practice
* brainstorming connections * synthesizing *homework *tests
* new ideas * reformulated ideas * recess * lunch
Let me be honest: I love new crayons, but the idea of going to school doesn’t get me all revved up with excitement. There is RISK in going to school! There are subjects that are just way beyond me. There is an expectation to sit still, be quiet, share, speak kindly, take turns, and allow some other person to be in control. Add to that the facts that I will be stretched, challenged, told I’m wrong, corrected, tested, made to try again…and again… and again… Seriously? Why would I want to do that just for a new outfit and new crayons?
And yet I NEED to go to school. I need to discover more of how God works and what this God-life is really all about. Thankfully, God doesn’t force me to squeeze into one of those little first-grader desks. He does expect me to come to “school” -every day; to read His appointed textbook-The Bible; to enter into discussion-pray; to accept the truth that I will be expected to practice, do my homework, be tested, identify where I’m not very skilled, practice more, accept tutoring – to be “schooled in God’s way.”
The rest of Psalm 25 offers hope and encouragement in my schooling. Verse 5 reminds me that I can trust God as my teacher. He IS the one who delivers me. lt’s so much easier to give control over to someone who has already proven He is on my side and will be willing to rescue me when it’s all just too hard or overwhelming. Verse 8 softens the whole concept by clarifying that my teacher is both kind AND fair. We’ve all had a teacher that was a favorite. Picture him or her, than multiply what made him or her so amazing by a million – yup, that’s Jesus.
God does expect certain behaviors from me to succeed in school. Verses 9 and 10 specify that I am to be humble and obedient. I need to realize I don’t know the answers; I am the learner and I am to follow instructions. God is such an amazing instructor that from the very beginning, the benefits and outcomes of my compliance are clearly stated in verses 12-14: he will show me how to do what I need to do (translate clear instructions, pictures to help with understanding, step by step clues to success); I will know his favor (translate: earn an A+, get a cool sticker, earn the classroom party); He will give guidance (translate: extra help, personal tutor, proven tricks to succeed).
I may not be thrilled with the idea of school, and yet I’m drawn to the teacher I’ve been given. He seems so cool, and I think He’ll make learning fun. I think I’m getting excited! I’m going to learn how God works! He’s going to teach, show, explain and demonstrate how to live His way! Whoop, Whoop- school sounds GREAT! Now if you’ll excuse me please, I need to go purchase new crayons.
