It’s okay not to “know.”
I enjoyed a wonderful conversation this week at my favorite cigar lounge. I was speaking with two gentlemen, one nearly my age and the other a younger bartender. I am one of a handful of pastors who frequent this establishment, and my vocation solicits some fun exchanges.
The older man visits numerous churches in the area. He likes to hear sermons providing a variety of viewpoints. He’s not much on the music. Ha! We disagree on that issue. He is one who sincerely questions things and I enjoy to chatting with him. People of his disposition challenge my thinking, and I often learn much. I also like hearing different ways of approaching various subjects. Hearing other ideas and perspectives broadens my worldview and stretches my thinking.
He posed an interesting question about the great flood of Noah’s time. My inquisitive friend wondered how plants could have survived if the entire earth was covered with water, and we could think of no record that Noah brought plants or seeds onto the boat. (Actually, Noah did take numerous seeds and plants on the arc to feed his family and animals. One of the first things he did when he got off the boat was to plant a vineyard with seeds had brought with him). Hmmm? Still, an interesting question. So, if the whole world were not covered, plants would have survived and renewed themselves. Guess I never considered the idea.
He was grappling with the idea of a total world deluge and was trying to figure out his opinion. Meanwhile, the younger bartender, also a friend and knowledgeable person, explained a theory of which he was aware proposing that the entire world was not deluged but only the known world at the time. Hmmm??
We discussed a few other cryptical subjects, to which I had no quality answers. I finally told both that, especially as I age, I realize there is a plethora of things I don’t understand. I told them that a lot of stuff is way beyond my pay grade. Moreover, I am very comfortable with my ignorance, especially regarding God's workings. He is so far out of my league; how could I possibly understand the depths of His knowledge and skill? Honestly, at this point, I think we sometimes fool ourselves thinking we have more knowledge than reality warrants. Not knowing can be scary, so we occasionally mask our ignorance because our condition might make us look foolish.
On the other hand, I find not knowing some things is a blessing. One of the most difficult statements to utter is, “I don’t know,” but it is also a freeing state to enjoy.
Solomon said having wisdom is more valuable than owning rubies, gold, or silver. I think I would rather gain wisdom concerning the use of the things I do know than worrying about that which I cannot fathom. However, the wise king also wrote that with much wisdom comes much sorrow and the more knowledge, the more grief. Geez, which is it?
The Almighty has revealed plenty to me. He loves me. He forgives me. He likes me. He’s for me. He is with me. He will never leave me. He’s got this. He’s got the whole world in his hands. He works through me in spite of myself. He’s okay with my stupidity. He is not worried about Putin or that North Korean fellow. He’s dealt with those kinds of folks a long time. That amount of knowledge makes for a pretty good life.
God does what He wants when He wants, and how He wants to do it, and I’m okay with that, and even though it sometimes baffles me, I’m learning to trust and enjoy. The Author of wisdom is quite capable of running the world He created.
The universe contains so many things that make us say, “Hummm?” In my youth, I was uncomfortable with “Hummm?” I wanted answers to everything, and sometimes I allowed myself to make judgements about things beyond my realm of comprehension. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Usually that attitude led to frustration and unwise choices.
When I was younger, it seems God humored me, allowing me to think I knew way more than than I truly did. He must have chuckled at me many times thinking, “Ah such a foolish young man.”
I’ll end these random ideas with a proposition. Whether you are willing to admit it or not, your grasp of facts, concepts, and knowledge about the Almighty and His world is minimal. But learning to live with uncertainty and enjoying our lowly state of knowledge and understanding can be freeing.
I don’t know about the flood, I wasn’t there. But I assume a Being powerful enough to create such a natural disaster could likely figure out how to grow new plants after the water receded. Put that on my list of questions for when I meet Him face to face.
I do know this: It’s okay to say you don’t know. It doesn’t make you any lesser a person or insult your intelligence. Living with uncertainty can be fun because there is always so much to learn, and learning is enjoyable and fulfilling.
Enjoy your weekend.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
