Finite fragments - Hope 103.2

Finite fragments

By David ReayFriday 13 Dec 2013LifeWords DevotionalsCultureReading Time: 0 minutes

Transcript:

Read Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

       nor are your ways my ways,says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NRSV)

In corporate and even church life,we hear much about the importance of getting the big picture. Not letting the immediate details overwhelm the larger issues. That seems reasonable. But there is a sense in which it is dangerous to try to grasp the big picture.

Our passage reminds us that we can’t grasp all of God’s ways. We can’t claim to be experts in the ways of God. We can’t think his thoughts. We can’t know what he knows. We have to admit our limitations and realise we can’t figure him out.

We can become very disillusioned if we are the types who reckon spirituality is all about having some grand,overarching picture of what God is doing. We soon come to realise we know so very little. God goes on surprising us.

Of course we know what are the general purposes and plans of God. In that way we do have the big picture. But only in the broadest outline. We cannot presume to know in detail what God is up to in any given moment in regards to achieving his overall purposes and plans.

We know in part. We see glimpses,grasp fragments. We have enough vision to keep us walking in faith,but not so much as to conclude we have exhaustive knowledge. In our Christian journey,we dare not try to know our itinerary in advance. It is enough that we know our ultimate destination and the sure companionship of God along the way.

Blessings
David Reay

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