Teachable
A New School Year
A new school year is upon us. Thinking of it brings back memories of my own experience of school. Where I grew up, classes began the day after Labor Day. As September rolled around, I found myself looking forward to being at school. I didn’t relish the idea of academic rigor, but I anticipated seeing my friends and classmates again.
Academic Strength?
I did well in school because I had enough intelligence to get by. I wasn’t a disciplined student. I studied in order to achieve high grades, but forgot most lessons soon after the exams. I didn’t understand the gift of education, nor did I appreciate the joy of learning. The thought of trusting a teacher never crossed my mind.
When I first learned that a Christian needs to be teachable in order to mature, I misunderstood it. I thought being teachable meant you had an ability to grasp information. My report cards reflected that strength. Complying with the rules and staying out of trouble had to count for something, too.
What I soon began to understand is that being teachable isn’t about academic strength. It is about having a humble heart that is willing to let others speak into your life. It is about allowing others to have an awareness of what you don’t know, and giving them permission to help you learn. Since I had a hard time trusting, it took a long time for me to become teachable.
Shame’s Lies Keep us From Being Teachable
I liked figuring things out for myself. Not because of the joy of discovery, but because if I found answers on my own, the shame I felt for not knowing in the first place might go unnoticed. My shame lied to me, saying that if I didn’t already have the answers, I would not be valued. Fear of being exposed motivated me to work hard.
Shame hinders our ability to learn because it keeps us isolated. It prevents us from experiencing the power and beauty of interdependent relationships that God designed for us to enjoy.
As I experienced the acceptance of trustworthy people I could begin to let my guard down. Believing I would be valued even if I didn’t already know something, I could then give others permission to help me. I needn’t fear, because my worth was not in what I did or didn’t know, but in the reality of being made in the image of God, like everyone else. I could live freely as a person with strengths and weaknesses and not be afraid.
Welcoming the Help of Others
I knew God had done this healing miracle in me when I received the first content edit for my book, Lifted from Shame. I found the manuscript filled with red marks. I had a steep learning curve as a first time author. Years ago I would have felt shame for the corrections. Instead, I felt deep gratitude for a professional editor who helped me create a better book.
I no longer feared being exposed for what I didn’t know. I embraced the learning curve and eagerly received my editor’s guidance. I willingly let her correct me. I had become teachable because I came to understand the gift of living in healthy interdependency with others.
When shame lifts, we can welcome others’ strengths. We can have a teachable spirit. A teachable spirit allows us to mature so that we can live fully out of who God created us to be.
Acts 2:44-46 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”
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Questions to ponder: Who have you given permission to help you? What are some of the gifts you have received by learning from others?
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