The Privileged Life: The Wisdom of Lifelong Learning

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Want to make kids turn cartwheels? Tell them it’s the last day of the school year! Woohoo! Bring on summertime!

For the young, school seems to last forever. Eventually, however, most finish their schooling with some sort of graduation ceremony.

We had a proud-parent moment earlier this month when our daughter walked across her university platform to receive her doctorate…a pinnacle achievement for her. Unless she chooses to do some kind of post-grad study/fellowship, her student days are finished. She’ll shift into administrative work or the business world.

Does that mean she’ll stop learning? Nope. She’s incredibly smart, curious, and eager to take on new challenges. Whatever jobs or activities she pursues, she tackles the learning curve with a vengeance. That includes double-black-diamond ski slopes and video games, too.

Me? I’ve found that the older I get, the more I need to learn, yet the harder it becomes…especially with new technology and communication trends. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence has me dumbfounded. I’m easily stumped by shifting software and social media platforms. It all makes my head hurt at times. 

But lifelong learning is a huge privilege we all need to embrace. It’s one of the most important things you can do in senior years to avoid Alzheimer’s and retain the capacity to make decisions. 

Want to sharpen your mental faculties? Challenge them daily with new tasks and opportunities to grow mentally and in your faith walk. Here are some ideas:

• Go back to school. Take a continuing education course at your local community college in a subject that interests you, like photography or gardening. Branch out into a subject you’ve never studied before. Or better yet, go back to get that degree you always wanted and didn’t get—especially since there are so many options now for online coursework.
• Read complicated books. Fill up your reading list with biographies, historical accounts, or even textbooks. Browse your local library* or bookstore for books on time management, pet care, or building a tree house. Pick a subject that expands your knowledge.
• Travel to new places. Whether you book a trip around the world or go to a local park you’ve never visited, get out into new territory. Learn about different cultures, histories, languages, foods, and environments. Jump out of your rut. 
• Engage socially…in person. One of the best ways to stretch your brain is to find a social group to make new friends. Simply memorizing names of new people keeps your brain on its toes. Join a hiking club or a hobbyist group.

All of these are good practices. But if we want to grow mentally and spiritually, let’s do what Jesus did—spend time learning more about our Father God.

When 12-year-old Jesus turned up missing after the Jerusalem Passover feast, his parents found Him in the Temple after a frantic three-day search. Jesus was “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” (Luke 2:46-47)

As a mom, I can identify with Mary’s exasperated reaction. “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (v. 48-49)

His Father’s business, indeed. While fully God and fully man, Jesus’ focus at this age was on learning. He saw education and interaction with the religious teachers as His business for His King.

Could you look at lifelong learning in the same way? As a means to grow spiritually so that you can go about doing your Father’s business?

Let’s grasp every opportunity to learn more about God. Dig deep into His word. Make your quiet time a chance to follow up on word meanings, cross-references, and footnotes. Delve into the context of passages, and pray for the Holy Spirit to make them come alive and apply them to your everyday life. Sign up for a group Bible study, or take one online.

Whether you’re 21 or 101, find opportunities every day for a back-to-school moment with Jesus. Give God your very best in whatever you pursue. Let Him transform your heart by the renewing of your mind. He’s given us a wonderful gift in the capacity to learn—let’s become His dedicated students for the sheer joy in all of it. I hope you rejoice in lifelong learning!

Dear God, thank You for teaching me new things every day, from Your word and Your amazing world around me. Give me direction for the path You want me to pursue, and open my eyes to what You want me to learn. Let everything I learn become part of a toolset for advancing Your kingdom work. Thank You for renewing my mind and heart daily to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her weekly blogs are featured on Crossmap.com. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at http://lightbournecreative.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2024 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography) Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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*I love the “Libby” app from Overdrive. It gives instant access into your local library to check out digital books and audiobooks…at no charge! All you need is a library card to take advantage of this great freebie.

P.S. If you’ve ever dreamed of having your very own library, check out the University of Coimbra (in Portugal) website for inspiration…a baroque masterpiece similar to the one in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”— https://visit.uc.pt/en/space-list/joanina