The Empty Head

Billy told his mother he had a stomachache. His mother explained, “It’s almost dinner time and you haven’t eaten in a while. Your stomach hurts because it’s empty. When you get something in your stomach it will feel better.”

The next day at church, Billy overheard the pastor tell someone he had a terrible headache. His little ears immediately picked up on that so Billy said, “Don’t worry pastor, my mom said it’s because your head is empty. When you get something in it, you’ll feel better.”

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is learning should never end.

Wisdom does not come automatically with age. For many, gray hair and a good head go hand in hand. But for others, length of life only entrenches stubbornness, irritability, and careless ways of thinking and living.

Within the story of Job a young man named Elihu exposes the danger of getting entrenched with careless thinking.

Elihu had been silent as the older men expounded the opinions on Job’s situation. But Elihu had been frustrated by their circular argument. Finally, about to burst, Elihu broke in. “But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right,” (Job 32:8-9, New International Version).

Without some long-term pattern of receptivity and intentionality, we only have multiplied experiences not lessons of acquired clarity.

Be a lifelong learner. You will gain new insights on things you thought you understood all your life.

Are you still growing, or just growing older?