Under The Olive Tree

You Can Only Teach What You Know.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you can only teach what you know – but if you will stop and think about it – it will clear up a few nagging questions.

Heritage

Isolation

Walking where you know the reed

Searching for the wisdom of the seed

Watch the river flowing to the sea

Freely giving what’s been freely given to me

Walking home

Amidst the flowers and trees.

To know something we have to be immersed in it, and it in us and through us. We call people who have spent this time and effort masters. Whether they are chefs, violinist, painters, teachers or what ever profession – they are masters – they can teach.

If we are to be the teachers of the future – where do we begin?

Heritage

What is a heritage? It is a sacred trust passed on by a culture, a family, an institution, or an individual – and it is sacred because it has required the giving of a life; or in some cases many lives – or even many generations of lives. Our heritage tells us something of who we are, and where we are going. First – teach your heritage.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. – The Holy Bible – Hebrews 11:8

How could he do such a thing? – because he had faith in the Giver. Peter the disciple knew the despair of denial – but he affirmed, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” – he understood his heritage and its value.

If you truly love and trust, then the sealed will and unknown quality and value of the inheritance is of little concern – why? – because you love and trust the benefactor. You understand that the one going before you will, without question, bequeath the most valuable and enduring of what he or she possesses. This is because they love you without qualification, without dissimulation. And if you truly love and trust them, you will in all your inner heart hope that by the grace of God, your inheritance will be antique when you receive it. A friend of mine put it this way…

After you’re gone oh Dad

It’s gonna break my heart

All the love you’ve shown to me

And after reading your letters, the first thing I thought

Oh Dad I don’t want you to leave

But now I promise I will carry it on

At least I’ll try with all of my heart

And before you go

I just want you to know

Oh Dad

I’m gonna carry it on.

Trust and teach your Heritage.