Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their way, and sinners their thoughts; Let them turn to the Lord to find mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Scripture Isaiah 55:6-9
I had an eerie feeling as I walked into the Atomic Bomb Museum in Las Vegas, a place dedicated to telling the story of the development and testing of numerous atomic bombs during the cold-war era. My tour led me to consider how often humankind’s greatest thinking has produced dangerous and catastrophic consequences for the whole world. If we are to move toward understanding that brings life, then there are some things we must “unlearn” so that we may discover the ancient paths; the way of unknowing.
The book of Isaiah speaks a word about how our thoughts are often contrary to God’s. As institutions invest in acquiring the brightest minds to solve the most complex problems of our day, they are still grossly inadequate to the task. Our opinions, views, and beliefs are grossly marred by our sin and misdirected desires, which lead to much of our frustration and disillusionment.
We are tempted to believe that we can know, that we can become as God. This is our fatal flaw at its core. This curse can lead us down the wrong path of believing that we know even as God knows. Believing in this lie is an invitation to trust in ourselves rather than God, who is all knowing. This thinking can lead to accusing God of mismanaging our lives or thinking that we can always know what is best.
There is a realm of unknowing that we are incapable of acquiring apart from relationship with God, who knows all things. To embark on this less traveled path, we must forsake our desire to possess what only belongs to God. This is the gateway toward the eternal, the way of unknowing. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He is the pathway to discovering absolute truth and knowing the Father.
They way of unknowing begins with abiding in God’s presence and Word, we will discover the ancient paths lead us to greater awareness of God’s thoughts and ways.
Prayer
Father God, forgive me for thinking that my thoughts and ways are higher than yours. The truth is, that I do not know what is best in any given situation. I need you and others in Christian community to help me discern the right path. Forgive me for accusing you of mismanaging my life. Help me pull down all those lofty thoughts that have the potential to truly bring me down. Liberate me into a true life through Jesus Christ, to worship the true God in spirit and in truth. You are the highest authority and there is no higher truth or understanding. Amen.