(A)musing

I've been doing some research on a project that I am working on and I stumbled across this word "muse." One of my favorite tools is Daniel Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. I like this dictionary because over time language changes and meanings of words change.

One definition of the word muse is deep thought; close attention or contemplation, which abstracts the minds from passing scenes; hence sometimes, absence of mind. 

On the other hand, one definition of the word amuse is to entertain the mind agreeable; to occupy or detain attention with agreeable objects, whether by singing, conversation, or a show of curiosities. Daniel Webster writes this about the word "amuse". it is often said we are amused with trifles. 

That was back in 1828. Think about that for a moment. There was no television, no internet, videos or social media. Now we are bombarded with entertainment.

Some of the research I am doing has to do with different learning styles. I didn't realize there were so many. None of the learning methods are wrong. They all have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Most people have more than one way of learning. You could say they intersect. Each style presents unique benefits and challenges. I think that is why fellowship is important. But that is another topic for another day. 

The one style of learning that piqued my interest is auditory. I found out that people who tend to learn by hearing also process what they learn by talking. They must! I have to talk about it, chew on it and let it percolate in different ways. It's how we come up with illustrations of the lessons that we want to put into practice. Sometimes we even talk to ourselves. If you think that is odd that's fine but consider King David. In Psalm 42:5 he is talking to himself. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Now I want to go back to the word "muse" for a moment. Here's why.  Think about George Washington Carver. I think he came up with something like 300 uses for peanuts. He didn't get that by being entertained. He needed to muse, have some time to ponder and process and think.

The problem today is that many of us are so plugged into entertainment we can't have deep thoughts about anything. I heard a brother in Christ say whatever entertains us contains us. When I think about some of the things I used to be entertained by that makes me shiver!

Now think about King Solomon. King Solomon used many illustrations about nature to convey spiritual truth. Here is just one out of many. It is Proverbs 17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. Sometimes when foolish behavior is called out it can cause a violent reaction. Proverbs 6:6 and Proverbs 30:25 teach about ants and their character. 

Even Jesus used nature as a teaching tool.  Remember some of the things He said? "Consider the lilies". In Luke 12 :7 Jesus talked about sparrows and coins.  In Matthew 13 He taught parables using seeds and birds.

The point in closing is this. Take some time to ponder and muse about the things of God. Let Him teach you knew things. Don't process with everybody. Don't be surprised if not everybody gets it. Stay grounded in prayer, in the Word and don't be afraid  to pick up a dictionary and learn. It's fun and amazing and it is how we learn to hear His voice.