“As long as you’re alive, you will never graduate!” I still remember these words spoken by Dr Richardson. I was sitting in the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit class at Southeastern University in 1990. I was taken back when I first heard this and rightly so, for it was the goal of everyone in the class to graduate. Dr. Richardson was known to be somewhat of a “shock jock.” But he always qualified his statement after he successfully captured our full and undivided attention.
What he was teaching us was that as long as we were still alive and active on this planet, we were always going to be Bible students. He went on to explain that walking the stage and receiving a degree, was the “baby steps” of learning. I learned that might be the day we “graduate” from college but it’ll be the first day of life’s kindergarten. We will always be a Bible student and our graduation day is death.
This really came alive in me last week as I attended the World’s Leaders Conference. I noticed a similarity between all the speakers; they ranged from Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tim Blanchard to Cokie Roberts, Patrick Lencioni to Bill Hybels and Tony Dungy, to name just a few. They all admitted that they’re learning, exponentially more, as they grow older. And one of the ways they do this is by teaching the next generation.
I love what Tim Sanders said, it resonated within me, “You will never get dumber by making someone else smarter.” I believe that true wisdom is attained, at a greater level, not when it’s received but when it’s bestowed. Learn today… it’s never too late. And what you learn, pass it on!
In the words of the Most Interesting Man in the World, “Stay thirsty my friends.”
