I enjoy learning lessons, practical lessons of life. God gives me so many opportunities to do so. But, I prefer learning lessons the easy way. I’m willing to glean bits of wisdom even from a shallow activity like watching a show, or a movie. I’m even willing to go the extra mile, so I will learn principles I could apply even from someone else’s life. It’s less complicated!
… I adore the fact that God knows me so well. He speaks my Love Language and He knows my Learning Style.
As much as I want to plunge on the couch, cozy up with my comfort blankie, my fingers hugging tight around a mug of cappuccino, He knows I’m a kinesthetic- visual learner. So, sitting and watching others, not an option.
Sometimes I feel like God is listening carefully from heaven and whenever I use the words ‘I’ll never do this…‘, He comes up with a lesson plan derived from that specific statement.
As a teenager, I used to say “I’ll never marry a pastor, or even someone with the desire to become one.” My hubby is a wonderful- caring pastor. We’ve been on this journey for almost 11 years.
As a wife, I first said ‘I want kids’. God said ‘No!’ Then we agreed to adopt. But we said, ‘We’ll do it. But we’ll never adopt big kids, only babies. They are easier to train in the fear and admonition of the Lord.’ A very plausible reason. Of course, God had a lesson plan in mind.
Today, I use or not the magic words ‘I’ll never do this…‘, God will still teach me daily. Let’s look at some Biblical examples of Learning Styles. See if you can identify with any of these.
Jonah Style- The Stubborn Heart
The Stubborn Heart says: ‘I am a control freak. I only trust my way of doing things. If God wants to teach me, He’d better be creative in getting my attention, because I don’t give up easily.’
Jonah’s Story
- Knowing what God expects, yet taking specific steps to do the exact opposite. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” Jonah 1:2-3
- God is getting His attention in a creative way. We send our kids to their room to do some thinking time. God sends Jonah in the belly of a fish to get his attitude in check and to rethink his obedience toward God. God is showing him who’s in control, by taking Jonah out of his comfort zone. And if you’re not into seafood, it’s a tough one. “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17
- Message received. Willing to do anything to get out of the current natural consequence. Times like this help you cling to God more. My way failed, so I might as well rely on God. God gave no other option. “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.” Jonah 2:6-7
- Overly zealous. Making promises to God in the spur of an emotional moment without genuine commitment. Almost as if making a deal with God. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” Jonah 2:8-9
- God gives a second chance. God is a God of grace. We should grant grace just as much as we enjoy receiving it. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time” Jonah 3:1
- Lesson learned by Jonah. “Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh.” Jonah 3:3
- Obedience short-lived.
- He didn’t obey with a happy heart. Jonah did the right thing. Jonah said the right words. Jonah had a wrong attitude. The Ninevites believed in God, and even the king did. “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” Jonah 4:1 Jonah is mad at God because of God’s own character of being Gracious and Compassionate, which gave him a second chance, in the first place.
- Jonah’s hard-headed nature makes him: irrational (I don’t like that God is compassionate), selfish and arrogant (He saved me, but they are beyond saving.), pathetic (‘take away my life’ because you saved them), superficial (After God gave him another visual help with a plant that grew, then died. He is depressed about the plant, but not the people.)
- God will accomplish His purpose even if YOU ARE NOT on board (literally for Jonah)
Joseph Style- The Calm Heart
The Calm Heart says: ‘What I’m going through is not pleasant, but God is with me. I will keep calm and carry on because I know God is in control. I will choose to live with full integrity.’
- It’s A Wonderful Life. Joseph is daddy’s favourite son. He gets a special treatment (an ornate robe). He’s surrounded by family. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.” Genesis 37:3
- It’s A Scary Life. Joseph’s honesty in sharing his dreams causes severe jealousy and hate among the brothers. (Bad things happen to good people.) He is quickly sold into slavery. “So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.” Genesis 37:28
- It’s A Bearable Life. Joseph is out of his comfort zone, but God is blessing him. We know that blessing comes when you put yourself in a place of obedience where God can do that. “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.“, “Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” Genesis 39:2, 4
- It’s A Discouraging Life. His integrity got him in trouble. What an amazing example of standing up for doing the right thing no matter what is the risk. “…Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused…” Genesis 39:6-8, “When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, ‘This is how your slave treated me,’ he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” Genesis 39:19-20
- It’s A Hopeful Life. God’s people will be noticed in the big offices and even in the dungeons. God needs to spread his ambassadors everywhere. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” Genesis 39:20,21 I’ve never stayed in prison, but I have stayed in very unpleasant places, state hospitals and dormitory with rats (in high school). But, had I not been through those less comfortable places, I wouldn’t have been able to meet and share with some people.
- It’s A Purposeful Life. “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.” Genesis 41:46, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
Maybe your life is bouncing from one day to another. One day it feels like Disney, and another day everything is falling apart like a bad dream you can’t control.
If I were Joseph, I would have felt like I’m taking one step forward and five steps back. With each blessing came about a terror. God was with him in the highs and in the lows. Joseph’s secret? His circumstances were always twisted, yet his faith was always consistent. He never doubted God’s presence in his life.
- God will accomplish His purpose even if THOSE AROUND YOU ARE NOT on board
In our next article we will take a look at two more Learning Styles. Then you can decide who’s your twin character in the Bible and what’s your Learning Style.
Things I need to work on:
- ‘God will accomplish His purpose even if YOU ARE NOT on board (literally for Jonah)’
- ‘God can show me who’s in control, by taking my remote control.’
- God is with me in the highs and in the lows. Just keep calm and trust Him.