The best education

One of my high school teachers challenged me with, “You have to decide what education is best for you. Do you want to be a person who knows a great deal about one thing and nothing much about everything else? Or do you want to know a little about everything and nothing much in particular?”

I’m not consciously aware of picking either one, but I’m aware of the folly of both when taken to extremes. The first category can lead to being so focused on one field that one becomes almost dense in the area of common sense. The second extreme is skipping lightly through learning, picking up tidbits that work in Trivial Pursuit yet give no solid foundation for a career or any area of expertise.

Principles emerges from this challenge. I’ve realized that the more I know about one thing the more I realize how much I have yet to learn. Humility and godly character seem to be the more important areas for high marks that becoming a specialist. Also, no one can learn a little bit about everything. It’s far better to pick a few important subjects and focus. Each person should consider what is vital for a life well-lived, a life that has eternal value.

Paul was well-educated. He said to those who challenged him, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” (Acts 22:3)

Rabban Gamaliel I was a leading teacher of the School of Hillel, one of two prominent Rabbinical schools in his time, Hillel and Shammai. Hillel gave students greater freedom allowing them to read Greek writers and learn beyond Jewish traditions. Today, it may have been designated ‘liberal arts’ rather than a ‘fundamental’ college. Paul’s education was helpful in the task God later gave him — to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He understood their language and culture and was able to fit and connect wherever he went.

Of his education, Paul said, “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:14) Yet so powerful was the grace of God in his encounter with Jesus Christ that he changed course and became exceedingly powerful in teaching others about Him. People said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of him. (Galatians 1:23-24)

I choose to finish high school and go to work. My parents wanted me to take art courses, yet I now see that would have been a waste of time. I wound up married with three children and a husband whose work took us many places. Constant relocation would mess with any career choice for me and a family that needed my full attention. I did choose to learn about God — which turned out to be an inexhaustible topic I could study anytime and anywhere. Besides, He gives His students knowledge about how to live. It could not have been a better choice.

I find myself thinking that knowing the ways of God is key to knowing the ways of humanity. He understands us better than we understand ourselves. When I pay attention to Him, I learn more about the workings of my mind, motivations, and needs that I could ever learn in any course of formal education. I’m sure this is even more true of Paul.

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Dear Jesus, while I have diplomas on my wall and awards for high marks in my file drawer, there is no knowledge that comes even close to the value of knowing You. You are the key to all wisdom, the source of all knowledge. The details of creation amaze me because I know You as the Creator. The connections between the stuff of the universe form patterns and beauty because I know You as the One who made them and who holds all things together. You have given me friends who together form Your Body and become united with You and each another. You have given me abundant life, rich and full of joy even in trials. I could have a thousand degrees from a thousand schools of learning, but none of that compares to knowing You. Amen!