One of the wise things a wise person knows about himself is he could be wrong.
I suppose it’s a good thing for keeping one humble. A truly wise person generally is humble.
The capacity for my non-knowledge of things is almost limitless. And it’s not just me. Look at what our Ecclesiastical brother says:
No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.*
The things I’m so sure about that I’d die defending are few. And those I hold by faith. Anything else I’m likely to vacillate on, soften my opinions, see from another perspective, or just say, “I don’t know.”
That’s not everything. Like I said, there are a few “articles of faith” that if I did not hold I might as well not be here. But there’s a universe else that is at best “considered speculation.”
It wasn’t always that way. I used to know a lot more.
But life kept revealing more of itself. At this rate, by the time I’m ready to go, I’ll know almost nothing.
Except where I’m going.
It’s an odd kind of consolation but, in the end, that’s all that matters.
It’s wise to get at least that one right.
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*Ecc. 8:17 NIV (see also Ecc. 7:23,24)
Next: The Beauty of Wisdom. Coming Saturday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
7:56 am
Good post, Hyatt! A slight variation on that that I find myself repeating more and more: The longer I live, the bigger God’s grace gets.
8:37 am
Excellent!! Thanks.
10:27 am
Isn’t that the truth!
11:23 am
So Good! Thank you for your humble wisdom. Was reading Tozer yesterday (Attributes of God) and he said this:
“There is an awful lot we don’t know. The trouble with us evangelicals is that we know too much! We’re too slick; we have too many answers. I’m looking for the fellow who will say,’I don’t know, but oh Lord God, thou knowest.’ There’s someone who is spiritually wise.”
Walking long on this earth and seeking God has had its effect on you Hyatt!
11:51 am
Well said Hyatt.
2:02 pm
Great to run into you last night (and your beautiful wife). How can life be so simple and complex at the same time? the question Mako asked last night…what is most important in your life? those are the things that can’t be measured or even used. he was eluding to Love. One thing, how simple. And how mysterious, vast, how unending a word.
5:12 pm
thank you Hyatt. Love this post.