knowledge and experience

I feel like lately my eyes have been opened to an interesting realization. Although my nose is stuck in about 5 books at the moment, it seems that the knowledge I gain never fully prepares me for actual experience.

For example, I recently read Practicing Hospitality, which naturally is all about hospitality. Initially, I was blown away by the Scriptural evidence that explains the richness of hospitality and challenged by the exhortations embedded in the lines of this book. I felt like I could better explain hospitality; I felt knowledgeable about the topic.

But, of course, when I am challenged to apply the concept to my own life, I am totally incompetent. Having tackled the theology of hospitality could not prepare me for the actual experience of hospitality, and I will be honest in admitting that it has been harder than I thought.

My point is this: we can read as many books as we want on certain subjects, we can attain as much knowledge as humanly possible, BUT without applying the knowledge to our lives, it is useless.

"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)

Now, don't get me wrong. There is so much good in learning and gaining knowledge. I think it is extremely beneficial to pursue knowledge. "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." (Proverbs 18:15) There is such wisdom in acquiring knowledge! But, we must be wary to simply allow knowledge to inflate us to the point of uselessness.

And, there is truth in that sometimes we can never fully be prepared (no matter how much we know) for what can be gained through experience. I am discovering this with marriage, and I bet most parents would agree with this in regards to parenting.

Nonetheless, our knowledge must journey from the head to the heart to truly impact our lives and to prepare us to the fullest for what the Lord may cause us to experience.