I recently heard about a spelling bee, held every year in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for contestants who are 50 years of age or older. It piqued my interest since I was once a school spelling champion; and the fact that the first place prize is $5000 raised my eyebrows as well. Hmmm…..I used to be fairly good at spelling, and who can’t use an extra few thousand dollars, I thought. Maybe I should try out for this.
The current champion, a high school math and physics teacher from Tennessee, gave an interview that detailed his studying techniques. He compiled study lists of unfamiliar words from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary—8,400 words, in fact---and he reviews the words constantly. He practices as he drives to and from school; he runs 3 miles a day, with word sheets in hand; and during the summer, he immerses himself in studying for the spelling bee up to 8 hours a day. His daughter quizzes him, and when they get going, they can cover 400-500 words per hour.
Does that make your mind spin? As I read those words, my initial reaction was this: I would rather spend my time on words that make a difference, on words that speak life and hope and truth, on words that glorify God, on words that teach me about eternity, on words that have the power to transform lives. I would rather memorize Scripture than find obscure words and practice their spelling.
I would rather be God’s Champion, learning to know Him better day by day, than Spelling Bee Champion, with its accolades and monetary prize. How about you?
Fellow Champions, let's see your verses!
Kathy
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.
Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you thnk. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
ReplyDeleteNIV Romans 12:2
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 (NIV)
ReplyDelete"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petiton, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
ReplyDelete23. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctifty you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. He who calls you is faithful, and also
will do it.
New KJ Version
Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJ
ReplyDeleteHe borne our sorrows and our griefs, yet we considered Him smitten, strickem by God and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us our own way, The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in you O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
ReplyDeleteNIV Psalms 19:14
Marlene
Doris
ReplyDeleteJohn 10:9 NIV
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture."
2 Corinthians 4:16
ReplyDeleteTherefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14NIV
ReplyDelete