WHAT I DON’T KNOW AND WHAT I KNOW

 

WHAT I DON’T KNOW AND WHAT I KNOW

WHAT I DON’T KNOW AND WHAT I KNOW

I don’t know much about how the pyramids were built…

But I know how to design and build some things, and I love to build...

 

I don’t know the meaning of some paradoxes, puzzles, riddles, and mysteries…

But I know how to research and to find the answers, and if I can’t find the answers, I know how to ‘put it on a shelf’, and ‘leave the door open’, because the answer will come eventually – I know because I’ve seen this work over and over...

 

I don’t understand everything regarding how airplanes fly with tons of weight in passengers and luggage and cargo…

But I know they work, they’re safer than automobiles, and so I have faith in them and the people that designed and built and operate them, and so, I fearlessly travel in them…

 

I don’t get the wisdom behind all the unwarranted suffering in the world, what’s the purpose, why it exists…

But I know that because of suffering, there is charity, compassion, empathy, encouragement, and miraculous discoveries; and because of suffering more goodness exists in the world…

 

I can’t figure out why some people are rude, hurtful, brutal, judgmental, and mean…

But I have learned to intentionally seek, appreciate, and emulate qualities from the other end of the continuum – people that are polite, helpful, kind, complimentary, forgiving, and compassionate...

 

I wonder why it seems that frequently evil is gaining ground, more accepted, and appallingly, rewarded…

But I understand there is a necessity for evil – it allows for a valuable perspective and beneficial contrast so we can exercise agency, choose good, practice righteousness, set standards, and emphasize the contraries of outcomes and consequences…

 

It’s a quandary to me why some people are more driven to accomplishment than others…

But I have learned to be less judgmental, do less comparing – allow everyone their individuality, understand that everyone has differing perspectives, backgrounds and challenges – and give people the benefit of the doubt (except some CA drivers) …

 

It’s a dilemma to me why plants and animals – most of creation – can seemingly get along with each other with minimal contention, but mankind is saturated and overflowing with conflict of every variety, on nearly every topic, and in nearly every space…

But I know that humans have something to prove – we should be occupied with a desire to overcome disagreement, conflict, and strife, and as we so progress, we can learn and know the harmony and peaceful existence some of our contemporary creations joyously relish…

 

It makes no sense why we haven’t yet found life anywhere else in the universe…

But I know that it tells me life on this planet must be very special – it has to be if we can’t find it anywhere else in millions of miles of universal space around us – and if it is that uniquely special, we can deduce that we are precious to our Creator, that He knows us, loves us, and is cheering us on; we must be ‘the apple of His eye’ …

 

It’s challenging to understand the Lord’s ways and His timing…

But I know that He would never do anything to inhibit or harm His children, or their opportunities for improvement and growth…

 

I don’t know God’s reasoning for why some things play out the way they do…

But I know that God’s wisdom and knowledge are infinite – His perspective is an eternal playing field, whereas in contrast, mine are limited, rudimentary, embryotic – my perspective is from a child’s sandbox (1 Cor 12:12; Isa. 55:8-13; Ps. 145:3; Eph. 3:8; Ps. 113:4-6; Rev. 1:8; Isa. 40:28; Rom. 11:33) …

 

I do not know everything, probably only a small inkling (less than a fraction of a fraction of a single percent) …

But I do know that God knows all things – past, present, and future – and will help me know the things pertinent to my existence, to my salvation if I will only ask (knock) with genuine sincerity (Words of Mor. 1:7; Matt. 7:7; 1 Jn. 5:14-15; Jn. 15:7, 16; Isa. 65:24; Heb. 11:6; Mk. 11:24; Ps. 37:4-5; Matt. 21:21-22; Jas. 5:13-18; Jn. 14:13-14; 2 Chron. 7:14; 1 Jn. 3:22; Matt. 6:6; Jer. 29:12; Jm. 1:5) …

 

Really, I don’t know a lot of things…

But I know what I know, and I’m striving to learn more every day. I know about having faith and believing, and the benefits from both. And…

o I know… that God and those on His side will be victorious in the end…

o  I know… that eventually goodness will overcome evil, that the right will prevail and the wrong will fail…and to be patient for the results…

o I know… that all the wrongs in life – all pains, all injustices, and all suffering will be remedied, made right, made whole, rectified, justified, and healed by God… again, patience is required…

o I know… that faith and faithfulness mean something, possess great value, and will be generously rewarded…

o I know… that striving for righteousness, honoring commandments and covenants with God, intentionally choosing virtue and morality, and repenting continually are essential for peace and happiness in this life and sharing in some of God’s glory in the next…

 

For now, I know that I’ll continue to strive to recognize the things I don’t know. And I’ll remember that my limitations are exceptional blessings from God. They allow for an exhilarating and stimulating journey called ‘life’. They sanction, persuade, and inspire progress and maturity and wisdom. These limitations, honored as precious weaknesses, remind me that I have ‘miles to go before I sleep’ (Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, 1923). And that, that is almost certainly a blessing of infinite worth! That… I know!

 ________________________

 

Wm. Calvin Hughes | January 16, 2023 | Lake Elsinore, CA

Dedicated to Nephi when in humility he confessed to an angel,

“I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless,

I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:16-17)