Today’s scripture: Luke 6:39-40 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
Solomon, Aesop, Confucius, Buddha, Plato, C.S. Lewis, Mohammed, Jesus! Each one of these men is found on the list of greatest teachers who ever walked this earth. Is one greater than the other? Who is the greatest teacher? Is it simply the one I believe is “the greatest” that I should follow, becoming a student?
Looking back over life it isn’t too difficult to consider all the teachers we have had throughout our educational experience, our church experience, and of course in our own family, and begin ranking them in order of “the greatest.” But when we consider teachers, should we also consider things like:
- a failed (or even successful) relationship
- a life-threatening illness or accident
- loss of a child or other significant person
- going to prison, or into war
as candidates for our “greatest teacher?”
But then (work with me on this) what if the one we regard as our greatest teacher (whether person, event, circumstance, or situation) never actually succeeded in “teaching” us anything at all? That’s right — we just lived through the experience or events, never heeding the words given to us for instruction or correction or to ignite hope and self-empowerment. What if the “greatest teacher,” in truth, is none other than the one represented by the reflection in the mirror as we stand before it?
Consider, if you will, that God directs people and events as well as circumstances and situations to us in order to fulfill whatever it is we believe is needed in that moment. It is then left to us to either choose to reject the words or people or events or attach meaning to them and integrate it all into our reality. It’s kind of like the Proverbs 23:7 declaration, “as a man thinks, so is he!” What if there is no one who can truly teach us anything? It’s up to us, to you and me, to know the Truth, the internal and eternal Truth of who we are. And when that happens, we will be set free, as Jesus taught.
Thought for the day: God, as I consider the many great teachings by the greatest teachers that have ever walked this earth, may Spirit prompt my heart to remember that ALL humanity has a wealth of internal wisdom and intuition, and that includes me. In great company, yes! But I am fully capable of self-realization by practicing inquiry. You have promised to meet me in the sacred heart, where You are, and give confirmation where my Truth is concerned!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.