Learning And Listening Lead To Blessing

A generous grandmother gave her grandson tennis lessons from a professional coach as a Christmas gift. When the training began, the coach politely explained some of the game's basics. However, the young player kept interrupting with his own opinions, and this pattern continued throughout the entire lesson.

At the end of the practice, a woman who had been watching approached the coach and asked, "Why did you go along with that arrogant student's silly suggestions instead of reminding him who the professional coach is?" The coach playfully smiled and replied, "I learned a long time ago that it is a waste of time to try to sell real answers to anyone who just wants to hear echoes."

Unfortunately, the tennis student's attitude reflects that of many others who believe they have all the answers. Those who pretend to know everything often don't ask the right questions, ultimately revealing incompetence. In contrast, a wise and perceptive individual continually seeks to learn. Proverbs 18:15 states, "Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge."

First notice, the Scriptures say the key is to "always" have a willingness to learn. The word "always" means treating every situation as a learning opportunity. Problems can help you learn; difficult people can help you learn; pressure can help you learn; and even pain can help you learn. You can always learn while you’re waiting. I try to carry a book that fits in my vest's pocket, so I can read when I am waiting. If you are willing to be teachable, proficiency and wisdom will not be far behind. The key to competence and intelligence is teachability.

Secondly, the Bible teaches that wise individuals are always eager to listen and gain knowledge. Learning is impossible if you aren't open to hearing others. Like the tennis student who misses opportunities, you too may limit your growth potential and, more importantly, your character. There's a well-known saying: "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason."

Many of our mistakes can be traced back to moments of pride and an unwillingness to learn. These are often the times when things go wrong. Therefore, it's essential to focus on learning and listening to discover the spiritual and mental wellness that God intends for you.