The Pursuit of Knowledge

I'm excited to have a number of you on board for my "Knowledge, Health and Beauty" challenge! It promises to be a great summer, folks. My plan this week is to post a few thoughts on each topic as we lead up to our July 1st starting date.

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out my Knowledge, Health and Beauty post here. I'd love to have you join me!)



We'll begin today with knowledge -- the expansion of our mind. Keeps things nice and chronological. Which I like.

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The other day Aidan wandered into my bedroom. I nabbed him. "Hey, Aidan! Would you listen to my verses?" He raised his eyebrows. This was a new request.

"Sure!" he smiled obligingly.

I handed him my Bible and haltingly worked my way through the first four verses of Colossians. He smiled in praise and then surprised me by saying, "Now go to Philippians. I'll do my verses." He jumped into chapter four, verse four: "Rejoice in the Lord always . . . ." and continued on through verse eight. He had worked on this passage during the school year, and I was so pleased to see that the words were taking root.

I was even more pleased when he said, "Now go to Psalm 1."

I flipped back and said, "Go!" He proceeded to recite a chapter from last school year. The words are still there. In his heart.

Why do I share this with you? For two reasons. The first is this: my actions inspired my son to desire the same for himself. When he heard me recite, he, too, wanted to recite. It's no secret that children act upon what is modeled in the home. He snaps at his sister when he hears his mother snap. Likewise, he shares Scripture when he hears his mother share Scripture. Which do I want for my child?

The second reason I share this is to point out that the words we hear as children stick with us. Again, for better or for worse. These words of Scripture they memorize? They are nestled in their hearts. And because it is the powerful Word of God, the words are living and active (Hebrews 4:12). We have the opportunity to fill our children with the living and active Word of God. And isn't life what we all desire?



I can still quote one verse in particular from my years at Vacation Bible School. It stuck with me because I saw my own name in print alongside the powerful words of Scripture: "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate Julianna from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39) Just this week I spoke with a childhood friend who remembers the same verse for the same reason. I love it.

As I pursue knowledge this summer, one of my goals is to work on committing more of His Word to memory, not only for myself, but in order to set an example for my children, as well. I'm tackling Colossians -- as much as I can. I've copied the first few verses on index cards, posting them above the bathroom sink, near the kitchen sink, and in my wallet. So far I'm only four verses in, but even if I'm only able to get through ten, I can know that His Word will have an impact on my life. Time spent in Scripture is never, ever wasted time.



This is only one of the many ways in which we might pursue knowledge. Perhaps you've been wanting to tackle that heavy Tolstoy volume for a while now. Why not start with chapter one? Each day that you add a chapter (or even just a page!), you've chosen to expand your mind, to pursue knowledge. Perhaps a new knitting pattern or a new recipe? An art technique to brush up on? The possibilities are endless. And believe me, your mind will thank you!

How will you pursue knowledge this summer?


The Book by Mary Cassatt
Reading by Jessie Willcox Smith
Girl Reading by Pierre-Auguste Renoir