The more I grow in my faith, the less I know for sure.

I know that seems wrong; it seems like the more we grow, the more we should know. That could even be a Christian slogan!

But I am finding the opposite to be true … it’s not that I doubt more. It’s just that I am more and more willing to say I don’t know about more and more things related to God.

And there is something grace-filled and freeing about that.

It is not my job to know everything.

It is not my job to know a bunch of facts about God or faith or the Bible.

It is my job to grow increasingly aware that God is God, and I am not … and to be very ok with that reality.

This poem by Mary Oliver helps me put some words to this:

Mysteries, Yes

"Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.

How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads."

 

I will choose the beauty and power of mystery over thinking I have the answers every time …