Faithfully yours - Learning about life

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Published on Sunday, February 18, 2018

By Neil Strohschein

Neepawa Banner & Press

One of my favourite sayings goes like this: “If you ever stop learning, you stop growing; and the moment you stop growing is the moment you start dying.” We begin learning about life from the moment we are born. Parents, teachers and others guide us through the adjustments that we must make as we move through each stage of life. The process is not without its rough spots, as we all know. And it doesn’t end until the day we die.

You and I will go through this process only once. We enter it with no previous life experience; and once we leave this life, we won’t be coming back. So everything we encounter is something new—a new day, new experiences, new challenges, new lessons learned.

All of which make the earthly life of Jesus Christ very amazing. The Scriptures tell us that the Jesus who walked the dusty roads of this planet 2000 years ago was God revealed human form. Unlike you and me, he had a previous life. St. John tells us that “he was with God in the beginning and that all things in heaven and on earth were made by him.” (John 1:1-2) So before he came to this earth, Jesus had all the abilities and all the authority that God the Father has.

But when he came to earth, he gave up all the powers and privileges he had when he was with the Father in heaven and accepted the limitations imposed on him by a human body. Let’s think for a moment about the adjustments Jesus had to make when he took on this new life.

Before he came to earth, he could move through the universe at the speed of thought. After he came to earth, he had to learn how to walk.

Before he came to earth, one word from him brought whole galaxies into existence. After he came to earth, he had to learn how to talk.

Before he came to earth, he had no need for food, water or any other form of sustenance. After he came to earth, he had to learn how to eat.

Before he came to earth, he was the authority in heaven. He was the one who made the rules. After he came to earth, Jesus had to learn how to live by the rules that others made—in the home, in the community, in the synagogue, in the temple and in a society that was openly hostile to his heavenly father.

Jesus had to learn all of these things and more. That he did, and that he do it so well (he was tested in every way as we are, yet was without sin) is good news for you and me.

Today, Jesus has all the power and authority that he had before he came to earth. But he carries with him the memories of his 33.5 years on earth. And he uses that knowledge every day as he speaks to his heavenly father on our behalf.

When he sees the problems we go through, he knows the frustrations we feel and he can go to his heavenly father and say: “I’ve been there, I’ve felt that and I can give them the wisdom they need to survive and thrive, no matter what life sends them.”

As you go through this day, remember that there is someone at your side who has walked this way before and will help you face each challenge with dignity and optimism. His name is Jesus. Take his hand, trust him and let him lead.