misunderstanding

So, I've been wrestling with this thought for several weeks but (until now?) have not been able to come up with the concise expression I wanted. The idea is this: I've been a believer for a long time now, and while God has brought me a long way from the mire that was my life without Him, He is showing me areas of my life where I thought I had improved (whatever that means) but haven't, at least not as much as I might like. To illustrate, let me pick on some great passages of Scripture.

I've long known that if one stands on the street corner in downtown America and asks various people, "Do you know a verse from the Bible?" the answer will often be "yes," and frequently the known verse will be John 3:16. Many can recite it, but therein lies a frustration: It rolls off the tongue with little or no thought as to the enormity of what is being expressed. Even (or maybe especially) the first six words: "For God so loved the world..." Because we can so easily say it without hearing what we are saying, when I want to share God's love with someone, I like to point them to Romans 5:6-10, and expecially verse 8, which expresses basically the same idea as that fabulous verse in the Gospel of John.

One can get to know something (or someone) so well that it is taken for granted, not appreciated or no longer valued as it should be.

Now, consider another well-known passage of Scripture:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5,6 (NASB)

I have known and loved these verses for a long, long, long, long time now, but recently it came to me just how much I do lean on my understanding in so many things. To lean on one's own understanding (may I say, knowledge) lies in opposition to the walk of faith which is pleasing to God. As Henri Nouwen said,

I often wonder if my knowledge about God has not become my greatest stumbling block to my knowledge of God.

I need Him to show me where the value and pursuit of knowledge necessarily ends (or better, yields to) the heart-felt faith and trust which is the basis for living dependently on Him.

Understanding and control are sought-after commodities in this world; we think that they are our best, or perhaps only, defense against the myriad problems and trials that characterize life on this earth. Always, the world is upside down from God's plan and way; "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways."  (Isaiah 55:8)  He may not calm the storm (although He can,) but he can calm my heart and fears and anxiety in the midst of any storm.  "But I need help, not platitudes!"  As has been said, let go and let God.

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.

Augustine