Shape Week 6-Out of the Classroom

This week, we covered the A and the P in SHAPE. We spent a great deal of very entertaining time on the P (personality). I don’t think I can expound any better on that particular topic since every last nuance of this introvert’s personality was laid bare on the altar of sermon illustrations. (Bless my husband’s extroverted little heart.)

So, let’s look at the “A” a little more deeply. Abilities.

We were presented a list of five myths surrounding abilities and skills. One in particular really stood out to me: Those skills that must be learned, are primarily learned in the classroom. (To hear the remaining four myths, be sure to tune into this week’s podcast if you missed the message!)

I loved school. The classroom was one of my favorite places. The smell of erasers, chalk and pencil shavings made me happy. And I was very good at school – annoyingly so. Straight A’s. Teacher’s pet. National Honor Society. The nerdy list goes on and on.

I was convinced that everything anyone ever needed to know could be taught in the classroom – up until the summer of my sixteenth birthday. I took driver’s education that summer. Three weeks in the classroom and three weeks behind the wheel was all that stood between me and the open road.

Of course, I aced the bookwork. The right of way at a four way stop? No sweat. Speed limit in a construction zone? Piece of cake. Flashing red lights on a school bus? Puh-lease.

As the weeks of classroom study came to a close, I remember casually remarking to my parents that driving was going to be so easy because the class work was a breeze.

My dad said, “You do realize that actually driving is much different than sitting in the class, right?

In my infinite 16-year-old wisdom, I replied, “Oh, I doubt it. How different can it be?”

The next three weeks proved me so very wrong. I couldn’t (and still can’t) parallel park to save my life. And I lost count of the amount of times my driver’s ed teacher had to use the special safety brake on the passenger side to save both of our lives. (It was especially embarrassing since my teacher was also our neighbor.) I’ll never forget my father jerking the steering wheel out of my hands to prevent me from driving into oncoming traffic and yelling, “Where do you think we are?!?! England?!?! Stay on the right side of the road!!!” And let’s not even discuss the debacle of backing out of my driveway.

It’s impossible to perfect a skill from the safety and comfort of the classroom. The skills I learned had to be applied to real life. I offer that humiliating little glimpse into my life in order to encourage you to put into real life practice the skills that you currently possess. If you know you have certain abilities, utilize and sharpen them to further the Kingdom. Ecclesiastes 10:10 drives that point home: If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

A good way to identify your particular skill set is to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do you currently do at your job?

2. What jobs have you held in the past?

3. What are you good at?

4. Have you taught classes/spoken at seminars? If so, what topics did you address?

I can’t wait for each of you to hone your skills for the glory of God! You’ll be happy you did…and we’ll all be blessed because of you!

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Brigit Edwards