I taught introductory level philosophy for about a decade. I quit when the last class I taught griped constantly that what we were studying was “too hard.” One woman complained, “My boyfriend says you’re making us read graduate level material.” “Nonsense,” I replied. “Some of this is the same material I read in philosophy 101, and I was a music major.” Sigh.
 

The fundamental problem was that the students wanted everything to be easy, requiring no effort whatsoever. A lot of things take work, and that includes spiritual growth. The basic tenets of Christianity are simple. “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The significance of that simple belief takes a lifetime to understand. It takes effort. It takes study.

We study the Scriptures. It’s more than a quick read-through of a few verses. We grapple with questions. What do words like faith, sacrifice, righteousness and love mean? What is the context of what we are reading? Who was it addressed to? Maybe some research is required. What have others said about the same text? And when we think we’ve answered those sort of questions there is the deeper reflection–what does this mean in my life?

Study doesn’t have to confine itself to Scripture. There are all sorts of books we can study like Luther’s Small Catechism that Pastor Art taught us about during Lent. And beyond books we can study what people say to us.

Study takes time and effort, but it is well worth the price.

Read Psalm 119:72-73, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne
Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A72-73&version=NRSV