Why is it so hard to say those three little words?
Why can’t I be honest with myself and others, and just say:
- I don’t know whether God created the earth in six literal days or over several millennia, but I know He created it.
- I don’t know how Jesus was born of a virgin, died on a cross and took up His life again, but I know it makes all the difference in the world.
- I don’t know if the Bible is the complete and inerrant and perfect revelation of the word of God, but I trust God to give us the truth we need.
- I don’t know how often Christians should share in the table of communion, but I want to remember Christ and discern His body there.
- I don’t know whether God accepts worship accompanied by instruments of music, but I want my whole life to be praise to Him.
- I don’t know if attending a church is essential to my salvation, but I do know that I glimpse a little vision of heaven every time I’m there.
- I don’t know exactly how the Spirit moves among and within people, but I want my heart to be open to Him.
- I don’t know if some kinds of miracles still happen today, but I know that every time someone rejects sin and self, and accepts Jesus as Christ and Lord some kind of miracle has taken place.
- I don’t know whom God has saved, but I do know the purpose for which He has saved them.
- I don’t know how the combination of grace, faith and works are related to how one is saved, but I want to present myself as a living sacrifice to God.
- I don’t know the when or how of Jesus’ return, but I want to be ready to meet Him.
- I don’t know what hell is like, but I know nothing could be worse than separation from God – and I don’t want to go there.
I’m not giving up on the things I don’t know. I’ll pursue them until I no longer can. I’ll study, pray, meditate, write, question, converse with others. I’m committed to drawing closer and closer to God’s heart as I mature.
And I want to be honest with myself and others about what I do and don’t know.
Even if it means saying those three little words.
Blog In My Own Eye 
Thanks for reminding us that we are on a journey and that what we know pales in importance to who we are searching for. I heard Walter Brueggeman say once:“We all want certitude in our lives, but the Gospel is not about certitude, it is about fidelity. We could have all the certainty in the world and it wouldn’t improve our lives a bit because what we wouldn’t have is fidelity.”
i am reminded a lot lately of how much i really don’t know. it’s a difficult thing for me to say those 3 words. my girlfriend takes great patience and delight in helping me learn to say that phrase. it’s difficult when she asks me a tough question to not go, “uhhh… actually… i think… maybe, possibly, it would make sense that…_______.” so many words!, when a simple i don’t know would suffice!in Christ,< HREF="http://iamnotoleska.diaryland.com" REL="nofollow">david<>
Those are hard words. When someone asked your opinion or even an open ended question you feel OBLIGATED to give an answer. But the more I learn about the ways of Jesus the more I realize I don’t know…
Keith, this is why I find a way to check your blog when I am on the road. AWESOME! The truth for me is there is probably MORE that I don’t know than what I do. But I love the process of trying to know Him better, and that makes up for the frustration of all I don’t know. Keep bloggin, brother!
Keith, there was something very soothing about your words in this post. Thanks a bunch.
Keith,It is hard to know why those three words come so hard. I think honesty is connected to humility here.And, I don’t know what to call my blog. Ha!
I”m glad we’re on the same page. I’m grateful that someone FINALLY said it. Thanks so much for sharing this, Keith.
I don’t know, Keith – did you cover everything that we don’t know? I doubt it. I don’t know a whole lot more than I know.But, I do know this, as we all do:“Now faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1 NIV
I’m a little late on the post on this one, and I don’t even know why. If we knew everything we wouldn’t need a sense of faith and trust. If we admit we may never know something we admit that we are limited. Not a very rational thought to many.