"A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness." Proverbs 12:23

It's a lesson in humility I have never forgotten. A young man had just graduated from school and been made an agricultural inspector. Filled with an inflated sense of importance because of his "superior knowledge," he flashed his imposing business card and demanded to inspect the old farmer's property. "Go ahead," he was told, "no one's stopping you." Twenty minutes later the man was seen racing across a pasture with an angry bull closing fast. "Show him your card, mister," shouted the farmer. "Show him your card!"

I've walked in that young man's tracks too many times. So have many others. Earning a college degree or ordination or doctorate can be a heady experience. And that can be a big problem with the Holy Spirit who delights in humility.

There is nothing wrong with acquiring knowl­edge or even being recognized for such. But beware lest it become a sub­stitute to keep you from the highest knowledge, which is to know God intimately and love Him passionately.

Continue to study books and take courses that sharpen your mind and challenge your heart. But while there's no end to man-made books, there is only one God-breathed Book—the Bible—and the more time you and I spend in that Book, the less we will parade our knowledge to others and the more humble we shall walk as an ongoing student of the Word.

Then the Holy Spirit will draw out, like water from deep wells, that knowledge we have gained in order to benefit others in their seasons of need.

My prayer: "Oh my Father, You want me to study to show myself approved unto You. May all the knowledge You allow me to gain be concealed in humility until You wish it revealed in that same humility in order to strengthen others."

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras