Treasure Your Experiences
What people and things do you value most? How much attention and time do you devote to what you value? How much do you value experiences when you know there is a definite end to them?
Dr. Scott Winnail delivered this Tuesday’s forum to the students on valuing the time we have here at LE and how we should take advantage of this experience. He encouraged us to take the time to reflect on this.
Dr. Winnail began with a personal story about discovering the importance of treasuring our opportunities. While attending university at the age of 20, he described how his attitude was to get through his education and get on with his life. His mentality was to just grind through the classes. It wasn’t until he experienced the loss of a young person in the church and the sister of a close friend that he realized he needed to change his approach. We must savor every moment of life, even when challenging, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Proverbs 2:1 states, “Receive my words, And treasure my commands within you.” To treasure means to value wisdom deeply. Living Education focuses on the missing dimension in education, the spiritual component. Here at LE, the students have the opportunity to receive spiritual wisdom. Dr. Winnail provided the students with two actions we can take to learn to treasure and take advantage of this experience.
Actions for Treasuring the LE Experience
- Jump in fully, and don’t hold back. Dr. Winnail related his experience when he didn’t take an opportunity he was given. When he was on the canoeing staff at church teen camp, the activity lead asked some staff members for help. Dr. Winnail tentatively raised his hand, yet he picked another staff member to help him. Dr. Winnail shared that the lead staff member on the canoe activity got together after the meeting and encouraged him to take advantage of unique opportunities when they present themselves; he should have raised his hand to help more confidently. He shared that we need to take full advantage of our opportunities here at LE and not let our shyness or comfort zone stop us. Ecclesiastes 9:10 describes this principle, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Don’t hold back. Dr. Winnail then quoted Henry David Thoreau from his book Walden:
“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
Students should leave LE without regrets for not taking advantage of the opportunities presented.
- Guard and manage time wisely. Ephesians 5:5 states, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” To walk circumspectly means to walk thoughtfully. We should remember why we are here at Living Education—to grow in grace and knowledge. Students must focus on and internalize the material, not just learn to pass the classes. We must also consider how we use our time; do we use our time in a way that reflects our purpose for being at LE?
Final Thoughts
If we value our opportunity here at LE, we will use our time wisely, knowing that tomorrow is not guaranteed, as John 9:4 describes. Dr. Winnail encouraged us to “suck out all the marrow of life” and treasure this experience, which is a privilege. We should try to grow as much as possible and allow God to change us.
