…then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
As much as we cannot comprehend what goes on "under the sun," we have a harder time trying to comprehend what goes on "above the sun." In heaven.
Oh, to know God completely! Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Of course, we can’t define God. We can’t completely know Him. We can’t explain His plan or see it from our human frame of reference. Even if God allowed us to know Him completely, our feeble human minds would probably explode with the glory of it all.
Still, it would be nice to be able to define God. To write out a thorough and complete description. To put that description in a box; label it "God" and set it on our shelf. What a reassurance. What a thrill in the knowing. What a divine blessing.
"Do you want to know God?" We’d show our friends our God box and lift the lid. "Look, this is who God is."
They’d see and believe. Souls saved. Heaven enriched for eternity.
But would we get it right? Could we ever understand, much less describe God in words? Doubtful.
But does He mind us trying? Probably not. He gave us those imaginations, after all. And surely He loves that we try.
So we’ll keep trying. We’ll keep reading scripture and praying and seeking God. Even when we arrive in heaven and see Him face to face, He’ll still be completely unknowable. But imagine…what an enormous box the saints must have sitting on heaven’s shelf!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we seek to know you. Please understand that we only try to define you because our hearts long to know you more. Please show us as much of your character and your glory as we are able to understand in this life. But please keep our hearts yearning after yours. Amen.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a God box?
4 comments:
Yes I do! I learned about the idea of a God Box from my Mom. She wrote down her worries and prayers and placed them in a little wicker box where she entrusted them to God. After she died, I found 10 boxes filled with 20 years of messages about all of my mother's hopes and prayers for us and friends and even strangers. I even wrote a book about it called "The God Box, sharing my mother's gift of faith, love and letting go." And I launched a free mobile app too 'The God Box' to capture prayers in a busy life. Would love to share more of the story. Such a gift of love!
Do I have a God box?
Formally, no... but I think we all do. Probably most of us anyway.
I am amazed every time I find out something about God and what my misconception was. I am very hungry to learn and know more!! Thirsty too :-)
Loved this post Carol, keep on keeping on!!
@ Mary Lou - what a gift your mother left you! I have kept a prayer box also and it was a great blessing to have and use!
@ Chris - Glad to know I'm not alone in my attempt to figure out God--as if that were possible. It is--I believe--from a deep desire to know God more.
It is difficult to comprehend the God who sent the flood, the strict, rule-making God of the Children of Israel, the whip making Jesus who drove money-changers out of the temple with the merciful, loving God who desires all to be saved.
Post a Comment