I finally did it a year or so ago: I went to amazon and began a wish list. There isn’t much on it because I have very few wishes—at least ones that a human can do anything about. And for most of our married life we have lived so closely that wishes for earthly things just made me discontent and unhappy so I avoided making them. But every time I ordered something we needed from amazon, there was that wish list icon in the top corner, so I gave in and made one. I had to browse to come up with more than 2 things to put on it. I haven’t touched it since—and neither has anyone else
Lately, we have had so many church potlucks that I have been thinking about going to that wish list and ordering one of the things on it myself—one of the top-rated insulated casserole carriers. I have needed it at least three times in just the past two months!
I hear that some people have spiritual wish lists too. Usually I find out when they come up to me and say, “I wish I had as much Bible knowledge as you do.”
Let me set the record straight first. I don’t have a passel of Bible knowledge in my hip pocket. I have to look things up just like you do. And, the knowledge I do have is courtesy of a husband whose knowledge is nearly encyclopedic and whose willingness to help is overflowing. He is, in fact, the one who taught me how to study, so you could say that he is responsible for all of my so-called knowledge, both the answers he has given me and the things I have learned on my own.
But about that knowledge you wish you had—why don’t you just do what I did and fulfill your own wish? No one can do it for you anyway. All it takes is time. By that I mean hours at a time over a succession of years. Do you really think I learned what I know in 2 weeks? I have been working on this so long I have even had to unlearn a few things, because that’s the next step—growing in your knowledge as you hone your understanding of what you have learned. It isn’t just a list of facts; it’s a compilation of concepts that weaves itself into a complex tapestry, and the more you learn the more clearly you will comprehend it.
Don’t talk to me about “not having enough time.” Nearly every one of us has changed our schedules to add something that was important to us. You added children to your life. That really changed your schedule. You went back to school. You started exercising. You took on a new job. When it mattered to you, you found the time.
I have learned this about wish lists—don’t put anything on them that you really need. You may never get it when you are depending upon someone else. Instead, buy yourself the present.
Buy this one—knowledge--with the same time and energy you spend on things that are not nearly as important.
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Prov 23:23
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…Hos 4:6.
Dene Ward
Lately, we have had so many church potlucks that I have been thinking about going to that wish list and ordering one of the things on it myself—one of the top-rated insulated casserole carriers. I have needed it at least three times in just the past two months!
I hear that some people have spiritual wish lists too. Usually I find out when they come up to me and say, “I wish I had as much Bible knowledge as you do.”
Let me set the record straight first. I don’t have a passel of Bible knowledge in my hip pocket. I have to look things up just like you do. And, the knowledge I do have is courtesy of a husband whose knowledge is nearly encyclopedic and whose willingness to help is overflowing. He is, in fact, the one who taught me how to study, so you could say that he is responsible for all of my so-called knowledge, both the answers he has given me and the things I have learned on my own.
But about that knowledge you wish you had—why don’t you just do what I did and fulfill your own wish? No one can do it for you anyway. All it takes is time. By that I mean hours at a time over a succession of years. Do you really think I learned what I know in 2 weeks? I have been working on this so long I have even had to unlearn a few things, because that’s the next step—growing in your knowledge as you hone your understanding of what you have learned. It isn’t just a list of facts; it’s a compilation of concepts that weaves itself into a complex tapestry, and the more you learn the more clearly you will comprehend it.
Don’t talk to me about “not having enough time.” Nearly every one of us has changed our schedules to add something that was important to us. You added children to your life. That really changed your schedule. You went back to school. You started exercising. You took on a new job. When it mattered to you, you found the time.
I have learned this about wish lists—don’t put anything on them that you really need. You may never get it when you are depending upon someone else. Instead, buy yourself the present.
Buy this one—knowledge--with the same time and energy you spend on things that are not nearly as important.
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Prov 23:23
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…Hos 4:6.
Dene Ward
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