Oh, The Things You'll Never Know

I have been thinking a lot lately about how the amount of knowledge I actually have is actually shrinking. Well, not shrinking (except for the brittle edges of memory that now seem to crumble off into oblivion on a regular basis, as I forget things I once knew, and even forget that I once knew them), as an absolute amount, but as a relative amount.

There is a whole growing body of knowledge which I know little or nothing about. There are references Facebook friends make to people, or music, or whatever that causes me to go...huh? There are people high up on all the Twitter lists that I have no idea what they actually do. Products are being sold that I have no idea exist, let alone want to buy or would know what to do with them if I did. A whole world to which I am blissfully ignorant and happily clueless about.

And it is getting worse day by day. As time goes by, I become more increasingly irrelevant as it pertains to the current popular culture. More information requires a bigger container, one which we cannot keep filled up with our personal knowledge of things. That's the bad news. The good news is that I am not alone, it is happening to all of you as well.

All of you.

Even those that are with it in today's culture (and I am so far out of it, I do not even know what the current term to use is.My goal is to get so retro I actually become current again, if only for the novelty I bring to the table). Yes, even the young of body are just a step away from the slippery slope of cultural bypass brought on by being around long enough that a younger, hipper (another musty word I am most sure) model comes along. Welcome to the party pal.

But there is hope. With all the maturity of one's years comes the realization that it really doesn't matter. Let the young have their fads. We had ours and now realize most of them were pretty fleeting (can you say polyester leisure suit?) in impact and importance.

So how do I cope? By holding on to what has become important to me: my faith, the wisdom I have acquired mostly through the mistakes I have made, family and friends. And what can I do? Try to pass on the knowledge I have gained to those a little higher up the slope than me because they haven't slid as much yet. And realizing how much of what is taking up our time today will begin to fade tomorrow.

Keep the important things the important things. That's how I stay relevant.

Technorati Tags: Knowledge, relevance, popular culture

Teachable Moments

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight Consider too, that this nation is Your people." And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."
Exodus 33:13-14 (NASB)

We are teachable at any given moment if we come before the Lord with an attitude of humility and willingness to learn. God wants us to learn and grow closer to Him, God wants us to grow in Him.

And if we come before the Lord, asking to know Him, to know His ways, He will respond to us as He did to Moses in this passage.

He will let us enter His rest.

A Quote I Enjoyed - #2

"Credo ut intelligam" – I believe in order that I may understand.

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

I found this in "Who Needs Theology" by Stanley J Grenz and Roger E Olson. It was quoted in the context of faith being a Christian acknowledging that God has claimed his or her life; theology being the pursuit of knowledge to understand with the mind what the heart already believes.

Faith before knowledge, I like that order. Seeking knowledge of God before having faith in Christ does seem like the wrong order, because it becomes about you, your preconceived notions and prejudices. Better to have Christ find you, and then have Him lead you on the journey of intellectual discovery that will enhance your ability to explain and defend your faith.

I can see where having faith before knowledge is a better road than pride before a fall.