Knowledge vs. Trust
Post #9 of Sarah’s
Post-It Note Inspirations Blog Series
So, you are probably a little confused by what you see
written on the post-it note above, but there is a backstory that goes along
with it that I find relevant to this theme of knowledge vs. trust, so bear with
me for a bit as I explain the story.
I am part of a student organization called Public Relations
Student Society of America (PRSSA) at my university. I joined this organization
because although I am majoring in marketing in the business school, I have
become more interested in communications and public relations and how these
fields integrate with the marketing field. I really enjoy being a part of this
organization because I can gain exposure and learn from professionals and other
students about these different fields that I am not able to take as many
courses in (Although I am getting a minor in Mass Communication, I am still not
able to take as many classes that Strategic Communication majors are able to
take).
One day during one of our meetings, we were briefly going
over how to write press releases, and then practicing writing them. Now, I have
never written a press release, and just learned what they were not too long
ago. So, when it got to practicing, it seemed like everyone knew what they were
doing and have already written at least one in the past for one of their
classes, except me. I found myself getting discouraged because I felt very behind
and lacking knowledge. Press releases are traditionally one of the foundations
and most basic parts of the public relations sector. I thought to myself, “what am I doing trying to go into this
field if I don’t even know how to do the most basic part of it?”
This story may seem a little silly (and looking back on it,
I do find it silly myself), but at the time, I was feeling stressed and not
knowing how to write a press release was really bothering me. You are probably
thinking, “well that’s not a big deal,
just learn it.” And yes, you are right, and that is exactly what I am going
to do. But I shared this story because at the time, I really thought I didn’t
even deserve to be considering the public relations field. I was putting all my
hope into knowledge, instead of trusting and having faith that I could
still do it. This experience taught me some important lessons, one of them
being as simple as: Just because you don’t know how to write a press release doesn’t
mean you can’t go into the public relations field. Even more important, and the
lesson I am going to talk a little bit more about for the rest of this post is:
The knowledge you have doesn’t define
your worth. Seek wisdom and trust from God over knowledge of this world.
Trust Him over your own
knowledge.
There is so much to learn in this world, it’s amazing. I
love learning, and want to be learning for my entire life. And I encourage
everyone to do this, to be “lifelong learners.” However, I do think that we
should trust God over our own knowledge. We can gain as much knowledge from
this world as we want, but if we don’t trust God in what we are doing or
learning, we aren’t really gaining anything at all. Proverbs 1:7 says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge. God is first in our lives, before anything of this world, and
knowledge begins with Him, which brings me to my next point…
Remember that wisdom
ultimately comes from Him.
For the Lord gives
wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6
If any of you lacks
wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it
will be given him. – James 1:5
No matter what kind of knowledge we seem to be lacking,
whether it is as simple as not being able to write a press release, or more
complex like our direction in life, we can ask God for His wisdom and guidance,
and trust Him over our own knowledge.
