Lazy Learner

On Sunday, I became convicted that my time with God was becoming just a box to check off my daily schedule. I've been asking the Lord for wisdom and guidance, and yesterday felt compelled to learn more about studying His word. I'm very thankful for what I learned!

I started in 2 Timothy 2:15.  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The word study is the one that's been getting me in trouble.  I was READING God's word.  I was not STUDYING God's word.  There's a big difference.

With my handy Strong's Concordance, I looked up the word study.  It was 4704.  In the Greek, it means to make effort, to be prompt or earnest, and to be diligent.  In my hurry to read my four chapters a day and check off the boxes, I had lost sight of the effort part.  And the diligent part.  And pretty much the whole meaning of the word. 

I was a lazy learner.  Doing a quick reading meant that I had no idea just a short time later what I had read.  It reminded me of myself in high school and college.  I maintained a great average--4.0 average with my master's degree. But I don't think I actually learned anything.  I certainly didn't put out much effort.

High school vocabulary tests were a joke.  I would review all of the words, meanings and spelling a few minutes before class.  I'd take and usually ace the test.  And then I'd forget.  Everything.  I didn't put forth the effort needed to actually learn.  I didn't really study. 

All the way through college it was the same.  I think I can count on a single hands the number of times I actually cracked open a textbook to study.   I look at all the knowledge I could have gained.  But I chose to be a lazy learner instead.  I did the bare minimum for me to get the grade I desired.  Looking at my transcripts, you'd think I worked hard.  I didn't.  And my bad habits continued into my time with the Lord.  Until He opened my eyes to my laziness.  My sin. 

I studied two verses yesterday.  Just two.  But I learned and remember and reflected a whole lot more than I ever did reading chapters at at time.  I'm still learning.  Still trying to break bad habits.  I'm sure it will take a while.  But I'm so excited to actually be studying God's word.



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