Do you ever get the feeling that you aren’t seeing the complete picture? That something’s missing … but what?! When it comes to spiritual matters, I think it is incredibly important to understand and verify what it is that’s missing. And therefore before you ask – no, I don’t believe the Lord’s hiding (fill in the blank) from us. I never believe that He tempts or teases us. Honestly, I think He wants for us to know everything we can because that demonstrates we do know and understand and can and will apply this. (As much for ourselves as a witness.)
My understanding is that learning, understanding, applying (fill in the blank) rarely is ever totally and completely finished … it’s like layers of an onion – we are always learning, seemingly unending.
“For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I ill know fully, just as I have been
fully known [by God].” (1 Corinthians 13:12, AMP)
The Message states this slightly different but the understanding is the same:
“We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!”
Part of my understanding from these two interpretations is that we won’t completely understand/know in this life. We will once we are at home with the Lord. One of my wonder-ments is not why we don’t know but do we actually act on what we DO know? Obviously, we need each other to bring each of our understandings and let them blend into a greater understanding. But… do we act? Do we share and allow each other (like iron sharpening iron) to help us grow in understanding? And from that understanding, act in confidence?
I have a feeling that one of my initial comments will be a “Oooohhhhh” and/or “Aaaahhh Haaaaa”. All things will be known and understood. Somehow the unimportant and insignificant will simply fade away. And yet… I really don’t think our learning is ‘ever’ over with. Will we still learn? There is sooo much to learn and know and understand, will we intuitively know or will we learn? I prefer the discovery-learn approach to knowing. Then again this is my best method to understand and it may not be others.
Whole picture! Will we have the answer in this life? I doubt it. The reality seems to be… stayed tuned. I believe we will know and understand that which we need to when we need to especially if our mindset is to intentionally learn… to know… to understand… to apply.
