A good story must be told more than once to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. And many lessons are this way as well. Repeated lessons allow us to grow and more fully embody the wisdom they teach.
To be sure, we don’t typically like repeating things any more than what’s necessary. And it often feels like a failure when we do, or, at the very least, a setback.
But many lessons have to be taught more than once because of the depth and importance of what’s being taught and not because of some shortcoming on our part.
For instance, we might be taught degrees of patience as a kid growing up. But this is a lesson we will have to revisit throughout our life – as we get married, raise our kids, care for aging parents, and the like. And each time we build on and take to a new level our soul’s capacity to endure the demands of life.
Courage is also a lesson that must be taught more than once. Perhaps we learned it first by going to school, joining a team, or taking the risk to show up relationally. But each day we’re faced with the unknown and must learn once again how to step forward in faith and offer our strength.
Likewise, lessons in love must often be repeated. At first, we might love because of what we get in return. But as we mature we learn to love as God has loved us – a reflection of who we are rather than being dependent on the other.
Time and again we must enroll again in the lessons of life. This is not a point of failure, but rather one of ongoing maturity. And the only true failure is when pride robs us of the humility to learn yet again.
Humbly submit to the repeated lessons of life. This is not a setback, but a sign of your advance training and growth.
Photo by awar kurdish on Unsplash
