Learning Through Living

Learning Through Living (By Justin Vance of Calvary Baptist Church)

Childhood is completely different today than it was when we were growing up. We would spend vast amounts of time outside riding bikes, playing games in the yard, and exploring the world around us. We didn’t have cell phones, credit cards, or dating apps. If you wanted to meet someone, you went out into the world to do it. We would get so excited when the ice-cream truck came by, that we just never seemed to have enough time to dig through the “change jar”. It was a race to get to the truck before it left, and the opportunity was missed.

Today, it seems like most kids explore the world through a screen. I think the best way to learn is through concrete experience. For example, you can tell me that a hot stove can hurt me, but it doesn't mean as much to me as feeling the heat radiating off a pan.

God tells us in His Word the dangers of sin and worldly living. He tells us to trust in Him alone, yet time after time, we see God’s people worshiping other gods. We see a great example in Exodus 32 when Moses is on Mount Sinai, and Aaron makes the golden calf. The people cried out, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” as they worshipped the calf.

They all witnessed the power and might of the true, living God, and yet, here they are worshiping an idol. Watching the plagues unfold on the people of Egypt was not enough for them. They needed concrete experience to really appreciate the situation. In verse 20 of that chapter, we see Moses ground the statue up and made the children of Israel drink it!

Sometimes that is exactly what we need. God allows us to go through trials and tribulations. They are good for us. Through those experiences, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the God we serve.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.