Knowledge

Let us pray:

Father,

    As we approach another school year, we are reminded yet again of Your promises. You promise to be the Father we can always run to, the Restorer of all broken things, and the Holy One to whom we can call out for love, guidance, and comfort. We pray for Your blessings on all the children as they learn and grow in yet another year. We ask that You guide their hearts and minds to grow in Your ways, and towards Your purposes. We look to You to shepherd them as you shepherd us on our daily routines to advance Your Kingdom, on Earth and in Heaven.

We ask all this in Your glorious Name, and in the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, and in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Amen

    So, I wonder how many people could honestly say that they know enough. I don't mean how many people think they know everything there is to know. I mean I wonder how many people think they know enough to squeak by. I think about it every time I consider our education system. We seek to teach children everything they need to know to be productive members of society, but we can't even agree on what fulfills that requirement. Does it mean they need to be functionally knowledgeable in every major academic discipline, including business, history, science, art, literature, and philosophy? Surely not, for I know plenty of people who have a high school education or less who are extremely productive members of society. 

    Do we think they should know more than their parents, so that we continually get more and more educated society as a whole, and eventually, we ascend out of the mire that way? Not in the least, because often, children don't learn the lessons their parents try to teach them, and so they spend their entire life just catching up to where their parents are. Do we think that every person needs a large enough instruction in a career to make a living? Surely not, because we are told that the only way to be smart enough to make a living is to never stop learning.

   I pose this. Maybe, the only thing I need to know is how to love my fellow man and God. If I love my fellow man, we can work together to produce amazing works of art, literature, and business would be a cinch with everyone working together. If I love my God, then my search for the truths of science and history is covered with a heart for good, and surely, that would be enough to get by. But maybe, just maybe, all I need is what I was born with. 

   In the 18th chapter of Matthew, the Lord says that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become as the child. This child, who has no instruction in science, philosophy, business, literature or any other academic subject, has what is required. You know what the best thing about being a teacher is? Every year, you are reminded that the faith of a child is all that you need!