![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/1_Corinthians_15_58.jpg)
| “Therefore, my dear brothers (and sisters), stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” |
| —1 Corinthians 15:58 |
“The only way you will ever learn this material is if you give yourselves fully to studying it until it sinks into the core of your brain. That’s the way with anything in life that you truly deem as important.”
It was the first day of Advanced Placement Mathematics class during my senior year at Bradford Area High School in 1964-1965. The teacher, Fred Rehm,1 handed us a thick textbook that contained an introduction to Calculus and intoned the above warning. His point? If we wanted to succeed in learning Calculus, we would have to intentionally determine to commit ourselves to whatever study was necessary to learn this higher form of mathematics.
Mr. Rehm was also right that, in life, to achieve any goal it becomes necessary to devote oneself fully to meeting the objectives that lead to satisfying that goal. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote these words found in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my dear brothers (and sisters), stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
As Christ’s ambassadors in this troubled and needy world, if we want to become the best possible representatives of our Lord, we must devote ourselves to the work of His Kingdom. Our devotion must be unswerving. We must invest time, talent, and ability if we are to succeed.
At the beginning of this new day, it seems worthwhile to ask ourselves this question: “Are we willing to give our all for God’s Kingdom?”
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| 1 Mr. Rehm has always held a very special place in my mind and heart, even though my contact with him took place nearly 55 years ago. In the yearbook of my senior year in high school, Mr. Rehm wrote these words: “Knowledge of mathematics is of great importance to our growing world. But more important is the knowledge of the world. May you enrich this knowledge in some small way in the years to come. F.K.D. (Focus, Knowledge, and Discipline) are methods of achievement. But, F.I.G. (Faith in God) is a way of life. M.G.B.W.Y. (May God be with you.)” Over the intervening years, those words have certainly proven true in my own life. Thank you, Mr. Rehm. |
