“But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.” (1 Thes. 4.9)

The word that jumps out at me in this verse is theodidaktoi – the taught-by-God ones. Paul uses this term a few times both to refer to others and to himself. At first blush it can seem arrogant to call yourself a theodidaktos, suggesting that your knowledge comes directly from God. But then when you think about Paul using this word to describe others – people who have sat under his own teaching – you can begin to see the deep humility being expressed. Paul was not their teacher, God was their teacher. God used Paul for a time (like a professor uses a T.A.) but their education remained in God’s hands. In this verse, Paul is commending them for recognizing that and living into it.

You can also be one of the theodidaktoi. God will teach you, lead you, and guide you through a development process. God is already trying to do that with you now, but it goes so much better when you recognize it, learn to look for it, and lean into it. Like any other sort of schooling, there will be classes you enjoy and ones you don’t, but all are necessary and for your benefit. This week, reflect on ways you can more actively and intentionally pursue the education God is trying to give you. Ask the Holy Spirit for specific ways you can improve your ‘study habits.’ May what Paul said here of the Thessalonians also be said of us.

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Mark 1.35

I just returned from a 10 day trip to Costa Rica where I served as a leader/chaperone for a youth group missions trip. God did so much through and in us during this time. I will share more later because God spoke to me a lot, far more than usual. On one of our last days there, I asked the Lord what was up with this. Does God like Costa Rica more than Raleigh (I can see why he would)?

The answer was pretty easy. We began most mornings with at least 30 minutes of quiet time. This wasn’t highly structured, we could pray, read our Bibles, journal, think. No talking, music, sleeping, TV, or internet, but no other rules. It was in these times that God spoke to me most, simply because in those times I was listening, paying attention, removing all distractions.

We tried this at home for the first time this morning and (lo and behold) God spoke again. He does like Raleigh too. Funny how it takes a trip to remind me of what I already knew to do. If you don’t already have some time for God at the beginning of your day, I encourage you to build some in. You might have to do like Jesus and get up extra early. You also may want to meditate through the week on why it seemed so important to Jesus (of all people) to go off alone and pray (the Gospels record him doing this a number of times). If Jesus needed it, you can bet we do too. And we know following his example is always the best practice.