Little bits and pieces. This is how knowledge is gained; or rather, understanding. As we pick up these bits and chunks of knowledge and information, they are not always understandable. We may parrot them to others without any true understanding. But a true seeker of understanding will not stop at adding these bits and chunks to his collection. Those who do this gain nothing but shiny baubles, worthless trinkets. A true seeker of understanding will examine and try these bits, measuring them and comparing them against others. Sometimes when the light shines just right on these pieces, the seeker will see it . . . a bridge is made in his knowledge, a sort of synapse is forged between two or more of these pieces. Not like a puzzle. No, that is two-dimensional and has little meaning. One can only see one side, one perspective of that picture. True understanding is “3-D”; one piece may have connections to many others, making a model that exhibits height and depth and breath.

This light we have here is feeble, shadowed by many things: physical and mental condition, perspective, events and words that shade our present with the past. Occasionally, the shadows move and we have a bright glimpse. That is a wonderful moment, when a strong bridge or synapse is created. “Aha!” we breathe in exquisite pleasure.

Information, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, prudence . . . unfortunately, we are in the information age where we have constructed these superhighways on which little tidbits to great big chunks whiz by us so fast, all we can do is scan. We train our minds to be satisfied with this, for to focus on one means millions of others passing by in a blur. We sacrifice understanding for information, worthless because there are no connections made, no bridges built, only a flat and lifeless picture with lots of missing pieces.

Searching for knowledge and yet never satisfied, never satiated, always hungering and thirsting for more. Piling up bits and pieces and grabbing the next, like a toddler, a baby always wanting the next toy.

Some liken gaining knowledge and understanding to peeling off the layers of an onion. That’s a good analogy. But if we continue to peel and seek and grab for knowledge and yet never come to the knowledge of the truth, what good does it do us in the end?

A man who lived long ago set himself to getting much knowledge. He was known in ancient times for his vast knowledge and ability to make wise judgments. Rulers came to him to seek counsel, to pay tribute and to marvel at his great accomplishments. At the end of his life, he all but despaired, because in all his life-long gathering of knowledge, it still did not satisfy. He would go the way of all the earth: He would go to the grave, and what good would all the understanding he had gained do him then? It was all in vain. He pondered this dilemma and came to a very important conclusion. There is a source of knowledge: it is Truth. Not a popular word in our culture, which likes to believe that there is diversity in knowledge and even in reality, an indication that there is no source, no fountain of truth. So we move ever faster, grabbing this and that piece or bit, but never settling, gaining important knowledge, experience, understanding, but missing the underlying truth. How can we see it when our eyes are mesmerized by the blurred flashing of the information superhighway we have built?

Step away from the superhighway. Check out that quiet dirt road. Stop under that shade tree and think. Take time to look at both sides of the road, around the tree, the other side of the fence. Observe the critters; converse, no, dialog (that means two people talking and listening) with others who are walking here.

Especially important is to stop in the Light of the source of all knowledge. For there is a source. Unless we acknowledge that source, we are losers, no matter how much wisdom we have accumulated. Without the foundation, the accumulated wisdom is faulty. The source, the fountainhead of all wisdom, understanding and truth is the One who IS Truth. The fear of the Lord (old language for honoring Him as King – which He is) is the beginning (source) of knowledge. It is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of Him is understanding. He is the base of the “3-D” model we are building. Without it, our model is useless. It will topple!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am and is filed under Christian Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.