“Wanderful” learning!

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

Socrates Wisdom.... comes not from age, but from education and learning.

Anton Chekhov

Since the day we heard this about you, we have continued praying for you. We ask God that you will know fully what God wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things. Then you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. Then God will strengthen you with his own great power. And you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. Then you will joyfully give thanks to the Father.  Colossians 1:9-12(a) ICB

One of the many things that I enjoy about hiking and wandering in the Sierra mountains is the amazing variety of plants. I could spend my whole life exploring the Sierras and continue to discover plants that are new to me!   On a recent hike, my friends and I found two “new” wildflowers, Sierra woodyfruit evening primrose and rockfringe (also in the evening primrose family but blooms in daylight with blossoms lasting up to a week). It’s so interesting to find something new and learn about it!

Learning and growing in knowledge is not only fascinating and healthy but is what we are to do as people of faith. The verse above encourages us to continually learn more of God’s will for us AND to apply that knowledge.  Why and how?  By learning God’s will, which we determine by reading Scripture and listening to the Holy Spirit, we are more able to live a worthy life. Worthy as determined by doing good works, being strengthened, and having great endurance and patience. Like icing on a cake, the verse reminds of the joy that comes when giving thanks to the Lord which helps us to focus on blessings! 

Whether in your faith walk or simply your journey through life, may you be blessed by a curiosity and desire to always continue to learn and grow!