Over 134,000,000 books (according to a brief online search) have been published since the invention of the Gutenberg press in 1450, and, on average, 2,200,000 more books are published annually. I think I’ve read hundreds of books in my lifetime – many novels, some biographies, lots and lots of Bible- and theology-related ones. Some have been well-written, even memorably. Some authors have become my heroes. (You know them. They’re the ones I quote all the time). However, I confess, there are worlds of books on topics and areas of specialty of which I have minimal to no knowledge or comprehension. This points to the obvious fact that there is a veritable Mount Everest of information, much of it probably totally fascinating, to which I have not availed myself. And yet, I continue to live contentedly in my ignorance of subjects which could enrich my understanding and provide worthwhile talking points when in erudite company (instead of nodding my head as an apparent signal of sagely agreement, all the while, having no clue as to what was just said. Is it just me?) At some level, I suppose, this is a travesty. Having this wealth of knowledge and facts and figures and detailed information within reach, yet left untapped, unexplored, unincluded may be considered by some as a serious character flaw. But, with so very many ‘ologies’ out there, it’s dizzying to try to focus on which one(s) to attempt to add to my impoverished database.
On a loftier, far more significant level than all the above-admitted scarcity, there is ‘known,’ yet unlived, knowledge instilled in the heart of every follower of Jesus. The gift of our Salvation, in a Pentecost-like, flame-driven tornado, filled up and filled out our sin-depleted souls with truth about our new-found freedom, our indescribable peace, our irrepressible joy. We’ve all inherited eternity! (if this doesn’t stop us in our tracks, wide-eyed with wonder, barely able to breathe, we have us some serious catching up to do!) Unlike the books of the world whose words our eyes take in and our brains (mostly) interpret, this treasure has been implanted within us. It’s in there! Not only that, the Holy Spirit’s mission is to saturate us with the wonder of Heaven’s loving inclusion of us, God’s invitation to us – and His enjoyment of us! It staggers the imagination, doesn’t it? The Apostle Paul communicated his own experience of his salvation’s richness this way to one of his churches: “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” (Eph. 3:20, TPT) I think God may just have a tiny bit more in store for us. We’ll investigate further tomorrow
10 AM, 4 PM, 5 PM. See you then. PD
