Becoming What You Study:

I was recently reading the book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki along with Sharon L. Lechter for work.  Robert’s rich dad had interesting ideas and new thoughts when it comes to making money and becoming more financially independent of the job you have.  This book, overall, did have some interesting views and takes, and I did get some good thoughts and good lines for my financial literacy lessons, but there was a great quote I saw that really struck and inspired me. 

This says, “Most of us have heard the saying, ‘You are what you eat.’ I have a different slant on the same saying.  I say, ‘You become what you study.’ In other words, be careful what you study and learn, because your mind is so powerful that you become what you put in your head.”  I thought this was so important to reflect on.  It is amazing what our brains can do.  Our brains even control our muscles to create muscle memory.  After a person has done the same act continuously, the muscles can complete the task subconsciously.  This shows that our brain really does adapt to what we think, what we do or what we study.  The brain remembers.  It remembers the information we are constantly putting inside of it.  

What we put in our bodies is really important.  It is essential to make sure we have a good amount of healthy foods with fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, etc.  It is also critical to make sure to not always eat junk food or food with high amounts of sugar.  Similarly, it is significant what we focus our thoughts on, including what we study.  This is why it is so important to read and study the Bible.  There is so much Christians need to learn in the Bible.  There are a lot of books to study and gain from.  The Bible provides us with so much insight to how we as Christians should act and think.  

When I was in college, I really had to study hard.  I had to make sure I knew the material for each test.  However, I also knew I needed to read the syllabus.  The syllabus is the papers the professors would hand out on the first day of class, so students can know what will be expected of them in regards to assignments and tests.  It was also good to know if there was any grading being done on participation or daily points/quizzes.  No professor was the same, not even in the slightest, so because of that, it was pertinent a person knew each syllabus, so they could know each professor’s expectations. 

Similarly, it is important to know the Bible. It is so paramount to focus our minds on the things above.  We need to make sure we focus on the love the Lord has for us and the rest of his people.  We need to make sure we depend on God for our whole salvation and our whole life.  We need to make sure to depend on his control and his timing, not ours.  It is also important to know how to interact with other people, both believers and nonbelievers to better shine God’s light to the rest of the world.  

The Bible mentions its importance of reading and following the word.  One verse that speaks of the importance of study in the Bible is Joshua 1:8.  This verse says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” This is a good reminder to have the word, so you can meditate on it, and know it from the inside, out.  This is mainly because if you really know God’s Word, you will then be able to follow God’s commands better.  

I should say that being prosperous and successful doesn’t always include being prosperous and successful in the worldly way, but rather in the Godly way.  God doesn’t ever promise we as Christians will be rich or will have everything we dream of in this world.  We are, however, promised to grow spiritual fruit to inspire other Christians.  This is how we are prosperous and successful, when we help spread the love of Christ to all peoples.  Then one day we will be celebrating with Christ in complete prosperity.  

The challenge for this week is to spend time studying one section of the Bible.   This could be anything you want to study or anything that has more of an interest for you.  The only caveat is to spend time really studying that same passage/topic this week.  Take 10 to 15 minutes daily to reread the same chapter over and over again.  Really try hard to make sure you have an understanding of a new concept.