TO BE TEACHABLE

February 24

Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Children (teenagers) nowadays think that they know more than their parents. It is a given fact that they probably know more about the communication programs of their computers and about the multiple functions of their mobile phone, than we ever care to know about. The problem rises when because of their one area of expertise, those same children think that they know more than their parents about most things in life, and therefore become un-teachable. A teacher and dear friend of mine, often reminds those pupils of hers who through their immature pride forget the reality of their limited condition by asking them “Are you teachable?”

Because of his insecure and immature condition, it is normal for a child to act in an arrogant way towards the adults in his life. He feels that he has to compensate with a show of pride that he feels gives him self-esteem.

Not only it humbles him when he realizes that he just doesn’t know, so he doesn’t want to believe that others know either. It is a weak and immature people; unsure of themselves who feel that they have to act in pride and self-assurance in order to prove themselves to others, and even sometimes to themselves. It is understandable in children, but it is a problem when adults continue their lives in that same insecure behavior. Sad to say, we have many in this world who, while rejecting the wise knowledgeable advice from the Lord, cope with their ignorant lives by exerting an outward show of self-assurance. If anything, the proof of a person’s growth and maturity is when they realize actual their utter dependency on the Lord and His Words.

This reality of the behavior of children and teenagers towards their parents and teachers should therefore serve us as a good reflection of our own attitude towards our great heavenly Teacher, King and Father. Don’t we sometimes run with our fingers in our ears saying to the Lord, “let me handle it Lord, I already know!” while all the while the Holy Spirit pleads in our hearts asking, “are you teachable?”

If we can teach anything to our children, Lord, help us to teach them a meek and humble teachable spirit. Help us to teach it to them by our own sample and attitude with you of being ‘teachable’.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.