SS Thoughts #22: Help! Help!!

[Developed from my SS remarks 06/06/2015)

Have you ever wanted to learn a trade? For example carpentry, or building construction – as it is now known? A good way to learn is to link up with someone who already knows the trade. This expert person can show you how to measure and cut, and hammer a nail straight – without smashing your thumb!

Or what if you wanted to learn to sew? Again, you can link up with an expert who can guide you in operating a sewing machine, cutting out a pattern, assembling the pieces of fabric together, and so on.

Medical students do not learn how to be doctors just by studying big heavy books! They also follow around more experienced doctors and learn from them how to diagnose and treat patients.

Even so called ‘dumb’ animals learn from experts. For example, an older matriarch leads elephant herds. Her decisions influence when the herd eats and where, when they spend time with other elephants, and when to leave the large groups of animals that form around feeding and drinking sites.

The death of a matriarch is almost inevitably followed by a period of confusion amongst the herd. The young elephants have no one to protect them, alert them to danger, or teach them social skills. The group basically falls apart and becomes wild and uncontrollable.

Yes, mentors/experts inspire us, motivate us, and help us to succeed. 

Pastor Samuel Telemaque (SS Lesson Outline #10 Q2, 2015) asks:

"So what do you do if you want to learn to live life well? Where do you go if you want to live in a way that corresponds to the way God created human beings to live? You seek out an example of a life that has been lived in that way. This is what Jesus offers when He says, “Follow me”.
        

Yes, follow Him and be His disciple. No, it will not be easy. It is a daily challenge that takes your hands, head, heart, time, means, and your prayers - everything. It demands your full surrender. But the reward will be worth it all. [Or as a pastor friend says, even if He rejects me I’ll serve Him anyhow….]

Listen to T. Marshall Kelly sing “It Takes Everything” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfbZ8BItk5g  

Or listen to the Aeolians sing “It Pays To Serve Jesus” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTvwvyi2Tc