The Wisdom of Not Knowing Everything

So, what’s on my mind?

Well, just in case you were having one of those weeks where you weren’t feeling too smart, let me see if I can help you out. I will be turning 45 next month, and I just found out this past week that it is called silt fencing, not silk fencing. I feel like I should slap my own forehead. Of course, the barrier that keeps silt from washing away is called silt fencing! I don’t know how I landed on “silk.” Maybe I thought the black material looked silky? So, yeah, I had one of those moments this week. Feeling better about yourself now?

As embarrassing as that was, it reminded me that none of us ever outgrow learning. There are still things I don’t know, words I’ve misunderstood, and lessons I have yet to learn. I suppose that’s true whether you’re 15, 45, or 95.

I think that’s part of what Scripture means when it talks about wisdom. Proverbs says, “Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning” (Proverbs 9:9). Wise people aren’t the ones who already know everything. They’re the ones who never stop being teachable.

The same is true in our faith. Following Jesus isn’t about arriving at a place where we’ve got God all figured out. (In fact, if someone tells you they have God all figured out, red flags should be going up.) No, it’s about continually allowing Christ to shape us, challenge us, and teach us something new. Every time we open the Scriptures, worship together, pray, or have a meaningful conversation with another believer, we have an opportunity to learn.

So, if you discover this week that you’ve been calling something by the wrong name for years, don’t be too hard on yourself. It might just be a reminder that God isn’t finished teaching you yet. And that’s pretty good news for all of us.

May God hold you,
Rev Chris Hester