7th Step to Heaven on Earth: Enlightenment

A friend posted on Facebook, “Don’t pray ‘Our Father’ on Sunday and live like an orphan the whole week.” I think that’s both funny and enlightening! It triggers a question about how often I live like an orphan during the week. Are you aware of how many days of the week you live like an orphan?

Even as a pastor, I noticed that I have orphan-like moments even though I am primarily busy preparing for Sunday, small groups, prayer groups, personal devotions, and meeting with believers. I can imagine that it must be hard to maintain the consciousness of being children of God for those who spend time with God only on Sundays.

It reminds me of Boney M.’s song, “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child.” I wonder how many people feel like orphans during this prolonged pandemic, especially when away from the church.

“Don’t pray ‘Our Father’ on Sunday and live like an orphan the whole week.” See, a simple statement like that could kindle a series of enlightening thoughts bringing awareness to something you have never noticed or forgotten.

Enlightenment is awareness. Some are just small awareness, and others can be life-changing. It’s like a lighthouse shining into the sea, bringing awareness to the danger and attention to the location. Sometimes, awareness comes early, and other times, it comes late, like a rude awakening. So, we want enlightenment to come as soon as possible.

Everyone wants enlightenment because, without it, you feel like groping in the dark. We live in a fallen world swimming in the sea of suffering. Enlightenment makes life easier and allows us to stay afloat or walk on water.

The English word “Enlightenment” has a double meaning: it means the state of being enlightened, as well as the action of enlightening. It means learning as well as teaching. When you learn, you get enlightened, and when you teach, you enlighten others. That double meaning is also quite enlightening!

You can only reach a limited level of enlightenment by learning. Sooner or later, you must teach in order to learn. Teaching is a form of learning. When you study for Ph.D., you are required to teach about 120 hours to graduate. Teaching enlightens you deeper and broader.

As a Teaching Elder, I have been teaching for over 26 years now, and I feel incredibly grateful for what I learn by teaching. If I were to start over, I would do it again, even without pay. You can’t put the price on enlightenment. I would encourage anyone to teach. I started teaching Sunday School when I was in high school. That’s when I realize the value of teaching.

So, I encourage you to pick up opportunities to teach—Sunday School, Small Group, Support Group, preaching on the pulpit, mission trips, or whatever provides you with the teaching opportunities. It’s for your enlightenment.

We have covered six steps to heaven on earth in the previous six lessons, primarily by learning or enlightening yourself. Now, it’s time for you to enlighten others to enlighten yourself further. How do you enlighten others? Let’s unpack what Jesus taught us in his seventh blessing from the Beatitudes.