How teachable are you?

A question that has been breathing down my neck for the past 6 months—an unknowingly stiff neck composed of characteristics that created distance between God and I.

At first I didn’t know how to answer the question, which brought me to the understanding that I thought I was more teachable than I truly was. Quickly coming off of my pedestal I began to evaluate how it is I take correction from others and whether or not I allow room for the possibility of being wrong. And if I am wrong, do I receive the direction gladly or not? With both points wavering, I put them on the forefront of my mind for the attention I knew was needed.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that if you are wrong then you have failed. When in all actuality, it is only through our failures that we can come to the understanding of Truth.

I remember taking college math my Senior year of high school—I passed by the skin of my teeth. Hours of tutoring, individual studying, study groups—you name it I did it. Each test would present a new set of problems that I thought I had figured out. Every time, regardless of how confident I felt, I received back my exams with more red writing on the page then the printed problems and my pencil marks combined. I would sit there perplexed over how completely wrong I had been when I truly had expected to be completely right.

After each test I would stay after school and have the teacher go over each failed problem. For sake of not presenting you with the same past mistakes, let’s take the problem 2+2, and let’s say that I had confidently wrote the answer to be 6. The character of how teachable I am is tested when I am being corrected. Am I able for the instructor to correct my 6 for a 4 and be glad, or do I refuse the 4 and persist on 6 being the way and the truth? Furthermore, do I allow myself to be trusting of his instructions?

I know. It seems so obvious right? 2+2= 4. But there are people who will fight tooth and nail to prove that indeed the answer is 6; I would know because I use to be her. What’s more, that some will fight for 7, 8, and 9 to all be correct answers—if 6 doesn’t suffice, then surely 8 will pull through.

This is all the same when it comes to the work done on the cross by Christ. He taught that in order to receive salvation one must turn away from sin, repent and believe in Him. He never said that you must turn away from sin, believe in Him, be good, work hard at maintaining that goodness, not eat this, or wear that, and then if you are worthy or “lucky” enough you will receive the eternal reward of Heaven.

How teachable are you?


Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is honored. Proverbs 13:18