When Joseph was born to Rachel and Jacob, Jacob asked Laban to allow him to return with his possessions and family to his own land. In response ‘Zaban said unto h/ni, I pray thee, if I have found favour in tb/he eyes, tarly: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake”(Genesis 30:27).
As Paul penned the letter to the Philippians we know he was !7 bonds”(1:13). He encourages and exhorts them to many things, and in the midst of it he speaks of himself. One thing he says of himself is “Not thatlspeakin respect of want: forlhave learned, in whatsoever state lam, therewith to be content”(4 :11).
In both of these passages a pivotal phrase is “I have learned.” God has blessed us with a life in which we have the opportunity to experience many things, and He expects us to learn from these things (this is in fact much of what is entailed in gaining “wisdom”).
A recent article from David Sam entitled This I Have Learned About Life stated the following:
• I have learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is try to be someone who is not difficult to love.
• I have learned that sometimes it takes years to build up trust, but only seconds to destroy trust.
• I have learned that it’s not what you have in life, but who you have in your life that counts.
• I have learned that you can do something in a few minutes that will give you heartache for life.
• I have learned that you are responsible for what you do, no matter how you feel.
• I have learned that you are in control of your attitude. You choose your attitude.
• I have learned that heroes (the really great people of this world) are the people who do what has to be done, regardless how they feel, and regardless the consequences.
• I have learned that maturity has more to do with attitude, dependability and taking responsibility for your life, than the number of birthdays you’ve had.
• I have learned that no matter how good a friend is, you are going to hurt each other every once in a while, and forgiveness is essential to a lasting friendship.
• I have learned that forgiving others is sometimes easier than forgiving yourself.
“I have learned...”. What wonderful words when applied. Paul exhorted those in Corinth to learn from the mistakes of old as well as their mistakes. He said ‘ him that thinketh he standeth take heed/est/ie i Corinthians 10:12). It has been said “he who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it.” What e sometimes fail to realize is the “history” we must often learn from is our very life. Are we “repeaters” or “learners”?
Jack H. Williams