God meets those who rejoice and do righteousness, for he’ll remember their ways and they will be saved (Isa 64:5).  As we plead with God for his name’s sake, he’ll pardon our iniquities (Ps 25:11).  When he forgives our sins he remembers them no more (Heb 10:17).  God blots out our thick clouds of darkness when we return to him, after we’re redeemed (Isa 44:22).

Gifts about the lessons of life might be hard to learn.  Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X (1925–1965) said, “There is no better than adversity.  Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.”  As the saying goes if you try and try again at last you’ll succeed.  Our experiences may well be filled with pain, sorrow, and grief, but as Malcolm X pointed out that behind these, there could be rainbows to spur us on.

We must however not leave God out of our decision making.  A track and field athlete Allyson Felix (b. 1985) remarked, “The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance.  Lots of times we go through different trials and following God’s plan seems like it doesn’t make any sense at all.  God is always in control and he will never leave us.”  Interestingly, this is one of the keys of successful living.  We can always depend on him and he’ll never disappoint us.

Life & School

Life’s lessons might differ greatly from those we learn in school.  Tom Bodett (b. 1955), an author, and radio host reminded us: “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test.  In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”  Lessons in life are real.  They can be spontaneous, unexpected, and revealing at the same time.  All we’ve to do is open our eyes, accept them for what they are, and learn from them.

Concerning lessons, there’s one which is greater than all others.  Elizabeth Kȗbler-Ross (1926–2004), a Swiss-born psychiatrist remarked, “The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.”  To love unconditionally is an extraordinary blessing which we are freely given by God.  That’s when our love has no boundaries, no restrictions, and negative thoughts are all washed away.

A Tough Lesson

A journalist and former news anchor for CBS Evening News, Dan Rather (b. 1931) was practical when he observed: “A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well.”  Amazingly, some outstanding people do great things, but they are greeted with criticisms.  It must be remembered though that all of us have faults.  But, justifiable criticisms could be construed as disrespectful and unappreciative when viewed negatively.

A motivational speaker Louise L. Hay (b. 1926) wrote, “Each one of us decides to incarnate upon this planet at a particular point in time and space.  We have chosen to come here to learn a particular lesson that will advance us upon our spiritual, evolutionary pathway.”  Daily we learn through the gifts that teach us.  It’s best learned these as we journey through life.  To Christians, it’s their basic belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  They drink deeply of his teachings and encounter life as free men and women blessed with an abundance of grace.