The movement we realize we don’t know as much as we thought, I think that we have two choices can take:
The first choice is to throw your hands up and become indifferent to the world, claiming since you don’t understand that you never will; therefore, there is no point in trying to learn about it. Some would call this the skeptic’s cop out, I would call it selfish.
The second choice is to use that acknowledgement to fuel your pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, to become well rounded and able to speak truth when needed. We ought not only pursue knowledge for the sake of information, but to find truth and be able to impart those truths to others in love and with gentle rebuke.
You see, when you learn, it is not just for the your sake; it is for all who are influenced and touched by you. You take that knowledge and then pass it on to those around you. This does not mean being a know-it-all nor a smart ass. It means learning when and how to impart that knowledge to others; in other words, wisdom.
When I graduated high school, I thought I understood how the world worked, I mean, someone gave me a piece of paper and handshake and told me that I was ready to live in the real world. But I was not. All the book learning and social observations I had made until that moment went out the window. Example, the summer following my senior year, I learned more about grace and mercy than the previous 18 years of my life. Yes, I had book knowledge, but it was not until I experienced life and was forced to reconcile my head with my reality did I truly realize how little I knew and understood- instilling a driving desire to learn and build wisdom.
I guess this is how I am here, back at college, with a bunch of young men and women, easily 5-8 years younger and not bitter about my situation; a situation I could easily be bitter and resentful about I have realized how little I know and my desire to learn and to teach what I learn drives me to be here. To be here and to enter into conversations and be patient with kids who were just high school seniors just ten months ago. How does a 25 year old talk with an 18 year old… does one elevate self or one lower self or do they meet in the middle some where….
Yes, I do know a lot, I have a lot of life experiences that many others have had not had yet, but they also have experiences that I do not have- Death of a parent, divorce, abuse of all kinds, heavy financial burdens. I can learn from them and I can teach what I know, when they realize that they do not have all the answers.
I am constantly reminded that I have a lot to learn about life, academics, relationships, God… I chose to take that acknowledge to push me to learn all I can where I am.
-Pennell