"Learning Anytime!"

Our daughter, Michelle, made a post recently on social media. She does this a lot as she encouragers so many of her friends and contacts. She is a homeschool mother of four these days after spending fourteen years in the public schools teaching math. She has a small business on the side that promotes a healthy lifestyle. She serves as a part time administrative assistant for her church and serves another not-for-profit business as well. She is busy and productive! I’m proud of her!

Dawson Michael
In the "Lap of Learning!"

She wrote this “on the fly” a few days ago, “Today, we untraditionally learned! We took our school supplies in the car and did our work while we waited for the boys’ haircuts to be finished! This is what I want – learning whenever and however! Learning anytime and every time!” I love how she “practices what she teaches!”

The other night or shall I say, early morning, I was awakened with some mild discomfort from my osteoarthritis. I decided to spend the time reviewing some Bible promises and praying for family and friends. I must have spent a good hour in this on-again, off-again exercise until I fell back asleep. I woke up at my usual pre-dawn time and felt like I had had one of the best nights of sleep in a long time.

I am so glad that over the years of ministry and personal quiet times, I have memorized or nearly committed to memory several scripture verses and passages. Some of my go-to selections include: Psalm 23, the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:4-7, Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 6:34, Mark 4:39, John 14:1-3, 1 John 1:9, and Revelation 1:7. 

After going through these, I found myself stumbling through some other passages and wishing that I had spent more time in committing the specifics of these more completely to memory. I often think of those places of persecution in the world and wonder, “What if our Bibles were taken from us? Would we know enough Scripture to identify us as truly devoted followers of Christ?” It’s something to think about!

We often hear the phrase “life-long learning” from time to time. What about “anytime learning,” specifically the Scriptures? Structured times like weekly worship and small group Bible study do put us in settings when we read the Bible. How about other times throughout the weekday? How often do we grab our smart phones and open YouVersion to read a passage from a few different translations? Back in the day, I remember when we had Bible drills to train children and youth in our churches. These exercises enhanced biblical literacy. We used to have scripture passages on strips of paper in little containers atop our kitchen tables. These became a ready resource for memory work.  

I was reminded recently of the definition for one of the Greek words for time. “Kairos represents a kind of ‘qualitative’ time, as in ‘the right time.’ It means taking advantage of or even creating a perfect moment.” Compare Kairos to Chronos 

John, the baptizer, used Kairos when he proclaimed, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:15). Using a weather illustration, Jesus challenged the disciples to be more discerning about spiritual matters. He said that by observing the clouds in the sky, you can detect rain or changes in temperature. Then he asked them this question using Kairos, “How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:54-56).

We all have the same allotment of time at our disposal. The way we use the 24 hours and 1,440 minutes each day is up to us. We must manage this precious commodity with discernment and judgment to take advantage of the opportunities that create those “perfect moments.” How do you intend to spend your time this day? How will you “interpret this present time?” 

Jesus said to those following Him, "Learn from me... and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, NIV). Disciples should be learning to be like their Master. Could it be that our openness to “learning anytime” may just create a moment that becomes “the right time” whether day or night? Think about the possibilities!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,

active churchman and
doting grandparent.

Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com