Day Thirty Five - How Do You Want To Grow in 2020
When I think of crossing the threshold of 2020 I am thinking about a whole decade ahead of us not just one year. One of the questions I am asking myself is about the areas that I want to grow in.
I oversee two Internship Programs, one locally here in our church and one nationally for a women's movement. I am always so blown away by the calibre of people that humble themselves and say I want to not stop growing.
Then I see the people who seem to think they really are either not good enough or think they are too good to want to position themselves in environments of training and development. Both sadden me.
I think it is always worth looking at the lies you believe when it comes to growing. We have talked about these daughters who learnt to break rank from their assigned position in society. One of the aspects of these daughters that all commentators agree upon is that for them to change the law of the day they needed to come into that arena educated in the ways of the TORAH (the Holy text.)
These women know their law and history. They use the fact that their father was not involved in Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16) as evidence to support his (and their) claim to the land. They know that the continuity of family name depends on inheritance of the land; and they realize that the current law is not adequate, for it does not take into account the unusual circumstances of a man without sons.
They were smart enough to recognise this omission in God's law! But because they consider God's law to be just, they show no hesitation in pointing out the unfair nature of the present situation with complete confidence and supporting their claim with compelling arguments.
How does Moses react? "Moses brought their case before God" (27:5).
If they had not turned up educated with a case that even Moses could not make a decision on, then Moses wouldn't have gone to God directly. Moses discloses his inability to assess the claims of these sisters. He takes the case to God, who responds by unequivocally supporting the sisters' demand and even by establishing a new and permanent law to secure inheritance for any daughters in such circumstances (27:6-8). So the sisters' claim leads to the law of inheritance's being changed forever.
They insist on change by engaging Israelite traditions effectively, something the rabbinic sages recognized when they described the women. They call these daughters:
1. wise (chachamot) – because of their timing (which we will talk about in the next few days)
2. astute interpreters (darshanyiot) – because they looked at the law and the circumstance and brought their own thought-through perspective.
The achievement of Zelophehad's daughters was a landmark in women's rights regarding the inheritance of land, from those days up to now. These days governments and humanitarian agencies all agree that education brings such liberation.
For us, everyday girl, right now in this time in history, not only on a macro level but also in our everyday lives, I believe that educating ourselves brings such power and authority.
If we are going to cultivate a pioneering spirit or a courageous spirit, then I believe we need to posses a growing spirit. You cannot pioneer or take the heat for stepping out without having the protection of WISDOM!
So in our pursuit of BOLDNESS can I encourage you to keep growing!
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
If you have good sense, instruction will help you to have even better sense. And if you live right, education will help you to know even more. Proverbs 9:8-10
[ Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight ] 16 Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her. Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Proverbs 23:21-23
For me to really continue growing as a person I have to continue to grow myself.
Can I tell you what I think education is and what I think it isn’t?
I think being educated is:
- staying desperate to grown and change
- staying hungry to be led by people more wise than myself and being open to what they speak in my life
- reading
- discovering my learning style
- using my common sense
- discovering things that interest me that I want to earn more about
- identifying my weaknesses and educating myself on those areas to become better (only if realistically it is going to help me)
- identifying my strengths and growing stronger in them
- asking for help
- studying a course
- finding solution
- applied knowledge
What I think being educated is not:
- Only going to Google (don't believe everything you read on the internet)
- Going with what ‘everyone else’ thinks
- More theories and philosophies without engaging your brain in what you truly believe
- Information memorisation – it is a step in the process but if you stop there you have not educated yourself (you have just repeated someone else’s thinking)
- Being too proud to ask
- Thinking you already know enough and do not need to learn anymore
- Head knowledge without engaging your heart and soul in the process
I coach people both in my ministry role and in my business. I find more than often that I am just helping people discern which resource if right for them in their present season. So often we are over exposed to resource and under equipped with wisdom.
Let be women who have both. So boldly pursue wisdom. Identify areas you want to grow and go for it in these coming days. I would love to know in what areas that you want to grow??