Higher Education

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2nd Timothy 2:22 NKJV

It's 'Back to School' time across the US. The children's summer is officially over. It's back to age-appropriate levels of study for such subjects as Language Arts, Math, Science, and History. With regard to actual subject matter, there are very few choices given to little ones. In middle school, there are a few extra options from which to choose: band, choir, orchestra, sports, depending on interest and preference. When the child gets to be around age 14 or 15, the curriculum counselors endeavor to guide the child toward a particular field of interest of the child's choice. There are additional class choices, but the basics remain the same: Language Arts, Math, Science, and History. Please note that the older they get, the less likely they will have recess. 

Some children, at 15, absolutely know what they want to be when they grow up, and they pursue a course of study that ultimately will lead them to their goal. However, most 15-year-olds I know want to be whatever their best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend wants to be - or at least something that will complement whatever their best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend wants to be. 

When they reach college-age, it all changes. There the courses are completely goal-specific, and they must be taken in a particular order. Most are prerequisites for the next level or class in the chosen course of study. You won't find nursing students taking chemical engineering courses or vice-versa. In pursuit of a higher education - one that will get them to their desired goal - they study together with students pursuing the same courses. They hang out together. They are together - of one mind - in their pursuit of higher education.

And so it should be with us as Christians. Just like a nursing student is not going to hang out with the chemical engineering class, we should not be hanging out with idolators - and for the same reasons. They're not pursuing the same thing we are. It's not our course of study. It won't enable us to achieve our goals. The instruction is clear - pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace,  and then He tells us HOW to do it - with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. In pursuit of the truly Higher Education. Read the Book.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to receive and act upon Your Word and Your instruction. Thank You for providing it. Help us to focus on what is important and to gather with those in the same pursuit. In Jesus' Name we pray Amen.