My Teachers

When you think back on all the teachers you have had, there are always one or two that stand out in your mind for having a major impact on your life. The more I thought about it, though, my greatest teachers were not people!

Here are a few of the great teachers I have had in my life and what they taught me:

1. Love is an amazing teacher. It is like the glue that holds life together and gives life meaning. It is something you have to give away to truly appreciate.

2. Forgiveness is a powerful teacher when you understand it is absolutely necessary to live a life of peace. Learning to forgive those that refuse to accept responsibility for their actions has been life changing for me. Forgive others and forgive yourself. There is freedom in forgiveness.

3. I have come to realize that education does not necessarily equate to understanding and common sense.

4. Leadership is the most effective when it comes with humility and a serving heart. A title does not make you entitled, it makes you ultimately responsible.

5. Fear is the enemy of faith. Faith your fears.

6. Everyone that comes into your life is there for a reason. Some are for a lifetime, and some are for a season. Be open to what I call “Divine Appointments.” Those are powerful moments that God uses to either bless the person you’ve met, or to bless you. By the way, the secret to having “Divine Appointments” is to just ask God to give them to you.

7. Winning and losing are both incredible teachers. Win with gratitude, but not arrogance. Lose with grace and learn the lesson. Losing does not make you a loser. If you don’t learn the lesson, guess what? You get to repeat the test. Sometimes you have to lose the battle, knowing you are going to win the war.

8. Succeed at things that matter. Power, money, and fame are fleeting. Succeed in your relationships. That is your calling and your duty. Love God. Love people.

9. While attaining your goal is important, don’t lose sight of the joy in the journey. That is what makes attaining the goal worthwhile. If all you focus on is winning the prize, you may very well miss one of life’s most precious gifts: the joy of the journey.

10. I saved the best for last: God’s Word. The Bible is the most amazing book. It is my light to guide me, my sword to protect me, my teacher to instruct me, my hope for the future, and my peace in the storm. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it! If you want to know God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and understand your purpose in life, read the Bible. Study it. Meditate on it. It is one of the most important ways that God reveals Himself to us.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes