Pastor's Note

PERHAPS YOU NOTICED…
April 13th, 2008

Have you ever noticed that when you are interested in something, you start to see a lot more on that subject than before? For example, a person about to trade cars starts to observe all the different cars on the road and in the parking lot. Those who are contemplating buying a house become experts in noticing porches, sunrooms, gables, and types of siding. Those about to construct a building become conscious of all the stages that other buildings go through.
Perhaps it’s sad that we don’t notice more about these matters when we are not directly involved, but at least we can hone in when it is necessary.
What seems to trigger our desire to observe is a degree of personal interest. When we are exploring some topic, we know what questions to ask and how to check out what is in front of us. Without that personal connection, we may have some academic or abstract interest but not be fully committed to learning.
One of the principles for education that I have always paid attention to, is that “people learn best when they want to know.” For that reason, a good teacher often helps students have the desire to know in order to help them learn.
The same is true for the faith process. Once someone has discovered a desire to know more, once the flame has been kindled, then there is a greater commitment to learning. This is true both for those who are outside religion trying to look in and those who have been part of a church and realize they want to know more.
Taking a personal interest helps us get excited about our faith and then respond more fully.