A minute to learn, A Lifetime to Master
May 22 – A Minute to Learn, A Lifetime to Master
4:142 – A Minute to Learn, A Lifetime to Master

#faithbites #faithjourney learn

Setting

Growing up, I remember watching commercials for a game and the tag line was “A Minute to Learn, A Lifetime to Master”. Do you remember the game? If not, it is Othello, which is a modern version of reversi. (Fun fact, some historians believe that versions of this game go back 5,000 years). It is a simple concept. Have more circles of your color than your opponent at the end of the game and you win. You capture your opponent’s circles by having one of your circles on either side, then they all flip. As the tagline says, it’s very easy to get into it, but very hard to become really good. There is so much strategy and possibilities that it takes a lifetime to master.

What does this have anything to do with faith or our #faithjourney? The answer is everything. You can learn about the tenants of Christianity in just a few minutes with the Apostles Creed or the Lord’s Pray. It says pretty much what we believe. You may hear it but do you understand? If you understand, are you practicing it? Bottom line, I’ve often said ‘Be a good human” but is it that easy?

Today’s Questions: What parts of your faith did you learn in a minute? What parts of your faith are you still working on? How are you continuing to master your faith?

Scripture
  • 2 Timothy 3:15 – And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
  • 2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
  • 1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
  • James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection

Many start their #faithjourney as a child, baptized (or raised) in the love of Christ Jesus. Some being their journey much later in life. Either way, they are children of God, literarily (young) and figuratively (young in faith). 2 Timothy tells that we are acquainted with HIs Word and that will make us wise. It doesn’t say, here’s His Word and your done. 2 Peter takes it a step further and says we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Again, not a one and done. It’s going to take work to continue our journey. Next in 1 Peter, we see that it’s going to be a tough journey. The Devil is going to try to throw us off our course. This is where sin and temptation (remember that from the Lord’s prayer) come in. But then Jesus forgives (Lord’s Prayer and Apostles Creed) us and we go on our way. The final piece, is we have to work on this daily. If we don’t we deceive ourselves.

If I were to pick up a game of Othello today, I would remember how to play, but wouldn’t be very good at it. It would take practice, many mistakes, learning from a better player, and keep playing. Being children of God on a mission of faith is no different. We have to learn the rules, practice, make mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and keep working on it. Being a good human is a process. Emulating Christ is a process. But with practice and working on it for a lifetime, you will master it.

As we close, remember to keep on working on your faith. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Love one another and keep practicing.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for giving us a faith that takes only a moment to learn. You made it simple for us and yet, we make it hard. We pray that you give us hope, forgiveness, and guidance as we work towards a lifetime of service to you. Help us master our #faithjourney to be the servants that you want. We love you and pray all of this in your name, amen.

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