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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “All that Glitters is Not Gold” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/24/08)
“I just wish I knew everything,” I sighed as I talked to my mom on the phone. I was lamenting the fact that my math background was not as strong as desired for a full time position at the college where I was working part-time.
“We’ve moved past that, haven’t we?” Mom asked with concern in her voice. For a moment, a sense of guilt swept over me.
“Oh, I was joking,” I said trying to shrug off her concern. But mom was right. I had a habit of prizing knowledge above the more important things in life. For example, while I struggled through honors algebra and chemistry, I could have enjoyed my high school years more if I took less challenging math and science courses and balanced my academic life with family, friends and outside activities.
Like Eve at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, I find myself making a choice: to trust and obey God, or to question God’s goodness and “bite” into knowledge’s power. Knowledge, like the fruit of the infamous tree, looks pleasing. After all, Francis Bacon has written, “Knowledge is power.” But its power can be destructive to relationships. One example is that Adam and Eve’s knowledge that they were naked caused them to hide from God.
The Bible also notes the “knowledge puffs up.”(I Corinthians 8:1) This was certainly the case when I was graduating from college. I had a 3.97 GPA with dual certification in English and social studies education and believed that was the ticket to getting the ideal teaching position after graduation. I learned that was not true, so I had to substitute teach while going to graduate school. All the while, I resented my situation because I had acquired so much knowledge, but did not get the desired result.
When I did get a full-time teaching position in a local school district, I found that many students did not care about all my college learning. I grew frustrated with my inability to manage a class well, despite my “book learning.” The situation and my anxiety only grew worse as time progressed. After resigning and learning I had the bipolar schizoaffective disorder, I needed to start my career over by working at a day care part time.
Since then I have taught English as a Second Language and Writing Skills through a local college. I also taught all subjects for literacy, GED and college preparation students at a local psychosocial-vocational rehabilitation center. I would often tell students not to be afraid of making mistakes, because through correcting them we learn.
Now that I have registered for a college algebra course, I must remember my own advice. I must also reconsider my goal. Taking a course so that I can “know everything,” and/or compare my scores to other students is not fair. Rather than seeking mere knowledge, I need to ask the Lord for wisdom. I must trust Him who gives wisdom liberally to all who ask (James 1:5 NKJV). God is willing to give wisdom because he loves his children.
With this insight, I can trust God and obey rather than biting into the “Knowledge is power” mentality of this world.
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This article has been read 589 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Carol Shaffron
01/31/08
Extremely good message! It's all too often not until we run smack into the brick walls of reailty we don't realize our utter need to depend wholly on the Lord our God! Blessings. Separting your paragraphs with a line would make it more readable.
Jan Ackerson
02/01/08
I've expressed that same wish, so I can really relate to the wisdom of this piece.

I'm not sure there's a strong tie-in to the topic, though.

It was interesting to read about your journey; I'd be particulary interested in how you've overcome your diagnoses.
Laury Hubrich 
02/02/08
Nice thoughts here. Good job! Make sure you put a line between paragraphs to make it easier to read. You can check it on preview and make any changes before you submit. Keep up the writing!
Laury
Marlene Austin
02/04/08
In our society where education is stressed, many find they are over-educated for positions and have difficulty getting a job. Many share your dilemma. :)