Having Limited Knowledge

"You just think you know everything!" can be a common expression at times in our house. We don't like it if someone knows more than us, and we're always striving to know more about a person, event or topic. And as soon as one person knows more, then we go on the defensive; I want to be the best by knowing the most.
Other times, we struggle with not knowing why or how things happen. We want control of our lives, and sometimes we just want to know what's going to happen next. Other times we want to know why we are faced with certain events and why things happen to us.

Sometimes I have it, and perhaps you do too, that we want to know more about God and His deeds. We want to fully understand God's character. We want to know how everything works. 'Where is heaven?' is a question we were faced with in the sermon yesterday afternoon. Yes, it's up (Christ ascended up into heaven) there somewhere, but in Australia, pointing up to the sky is actually pointing down. How does that work? Our human nature can't comprehend such a concept, although somewhere inside us is a lingering to know more. We want to know more about God and why He chose to orchestrate certain events in the past, why He allows certain things to happen in the present, and what He has in store for us in the future.

That's the trap man fell into when Adam and Eve were tempted in Paradise. They wanted to know more; they wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil (Gen 3:5). And it follows then that we must understand today also, that we can not always comprehend all of God's ways (and we shouldn't try). For,

If we could understand all things about God, He wouldn't be so great.

This sentence from the sermon struck me. Hard. Not only is there no way we can understand everything, trying to know more and creating theories about what God hasn't revealed for human minds is undermining God's character and His greatness. God created man to praise and glorify Him- and so it must be our aim to praise His greatness, and not try and match it. Everything about God is so awesome and praiseworthy- who is man to belittle Him? If we understood God and His deeds, we wouldn't have a great God, we'd merely have a similar being and little purpose in life.

God is far beyond us. We don't understand everything, but we don't need to. Because of God's greatness, we are assured that He is in control. We can be assured that we are safe in His hands. He knows everything, and that means that He knows what is best for us. If we could plan our lives, I'm sure we'd make a terrible mess of it. But God knows best. He has His whole plan for this world worked out. And He had it worked out even before He created the world. His plan of salvation, to save man after the temptation of wanting to know more, is the only knowledge we need.

Our God is an awesome God. So instead of wanting to know everything, be safe in the knowledge that His greatness is far beyond us, and dwell in the comfort of His all-knowing arms. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1:7). 

Our Amazing Creator

There is something magical and surreal when studying God's creation. To think that so often we just walk by. When really pondering and reflecting on the beautiful sights, it's amazing to think that God created it all. From the plants to the crashing waves, from the photosynthesis process to the water molecules, from the growth, decay and patterns of nature.... it leaves me speechless. Over the past week I was able to experience the work of our marvellous Creator. His creation is wonderful, and is evidence of His might and splendour. And His providential work cannot go unnoticed either. From the rising to the setting sun, His hand controlling the order of this world is evidence of His presence and power. And here is some photo evidence (which can't quite give it all justice but I did my best). It's pretty amazing to think about the many changing landscapes I could see in just a few days!


Nullabor Plain

Sunset on the Nullabor

More grass... and a hill!

Forest- Mt Gambier

The Great Australian Bight

Sunset- Streaky Bay

Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Rd, Victoria

Cliff face, Great Ocean Rd

Grotto, Great Ocean Rd



Cataract Gorge, Launceston

Liffey Falls, Tasmania






Australia: Celebrating Freedom?

Last week Thursday we could celebrate Australia Day. And it is always a joyous day, a good excuse for a public holiday, and a time of fellowship where we can celebrate being Aussie. I'm proud to be an Aussie, and each Australia Day again I reflect on the freedom and peace we can enjoy. The blessings of living in a prosperous country are countless, and we only have God to thank for blessing our country in many ways. But when reflecting on these gifts, it only makes one think of the way it is taken for granted and abused.

Australia's doing pretty well economically, at least in relation to other countries in the world. We have peace at home, and willing troops to serve overseas. We live in a land of physical beauty, and there's always something new to see around the corner. We have a government that is relatively stable, well at least there's no dictatorship or coups to worry about. We can drive to work, go out to dinner, walk the dog, do our washing, and carry on doing all the mundane things in life, without too much worry. And I thank God for these gifts.

Yet at the same time, I'm not sure where Australia is going. We celebrate abstinence from war on home soil, but we're in a constant battle with Aboriginals about rights and justice. We celebrate prosperity, but there's calls for Sunday trading and fewer jobs for those refusing to work Sundays. We celebrate democracy, but the heads of government face riots and ridicule. We celebrate peace, but we're willing to abort babies. We celebrate justice and opportunity, but we're sliding further and further away from the morals and guidelines of God's Word.

So, I'm not sure how much freedom is left to celebrate. I still want Australia Day. I'm still proud to be Australian. But somewhere God has to come back into the picture. His blessings are overlooked, and instead man tries to control what's not his to change. I think it's time Australia looks to the Word as a guide to joy and peace. To the freedom Christ offers. We don't have to pay for it. We don't have to look for it. We don't have to die for it. It's right there, freedom for free. Then we have a reason to celebrate the rich blessings of God. For now, I'll celebrate what God has given Australia, and the freedoms I can enjoy. But I'll also pray that Australia will turn to the Creator's freedom, instead of pursuing the slavery of the creature.