This post is the 4th in a 6-part series on Idolizing Knowledge. Read the rest of the posts here. Guest directory info is available here.
Sitting down to play a board game is relaxing. Until it isn’t.
One game in particular gets my wheels spinning with a frustration that is probably healthy for me.
It’s called 7 Wonders. Each turn, every player selects a card from their hand and then passes the rest to their neighbor. Around and around the hands go, whittling down with each turn. Inevitably, I realize I’ve got two cards in a hand that will allow my neighbor to win. I can only take one card though.
Come the passing of the hands, my neighbor wins. And I knew they would. But I couldn’t do a thing about it.
We can know all about something and have no power to change it or act on it.
The anthem “knowledge is power” gets us on our feet until we’re on our knees, fully informed about something we can’t change. Whether we learn all about a loved ones’ diagnosis or gain insight into someone else’s success, knowledge does not always equate to power.
Forgetting this fact is one of the most frustrating things for wanna-know-it-alls like me.
I think of the prophets.
Even with visions of what was to come and warnings given by God, they had no power to change the course of the people.
God even told Ezekiel that as a watchman Ezekiel was not responsible for the people’s responses to the prophecies. He was merely responsible for speaking the truth. There was no sugarcoating. Ezekiel was to speak knowing the people would not listen and destruction would surely still come.
Ezekiel remarked:
“They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.” –Ezekiel 13:6
We’re like that. We treat the knowledge we have like it’s the God-given truth and as if we’ve divined how to apply it properly. Using our knowledge, we proclaim how things are going to be. Then, we get mad when God doesn’t backup our plans with the power to see them through.
The gap between our knowledge and our power is where surrender lives. <Tweet this>
God is all-knowing and all-powerful. There’s nothing He doesn’t know about and nothing He can’t do something about.
That’s why we end up on our knees, fully informed and full incapable. We know the One who is capable, and we pray He exerts His power in a way that fits our knowledge.
However, God’s all-knowingness exceeds the information we have. We know the type of cancer, the odds, the way it affects the body. He knows all that too- and He knows how it fits into His perfect plan. God knows how to make good out of what’s not good. He can do it and He will.
Since His knowledge exceeds ours and He is good, we have reason to trust that whatever power He exerts, what He knows and what He does will align for our good and His glory.
Surrendering to the One who is in control should be relieving.
If we’re honest about the limits of human knowledge, we realize it is good we aren’t in control. We don’t have the know-how to wield sovereignty well. And when we think we do, we can end up:
- Growing egotistical and distant from God
- Having “our own understanding” define our path
- Leading others astray because our knowledge is limited
- Unprepared to face the truth
- Getting way ahead of ourselves and the Lord’s plans
Laying down what we know before the One who knows what to do protects us. Especially from messes like these. My husband points out, “What we don’t know we can’t control.” Whew.
Surrender in the space between knowledge and power relieves the tension that wears us and tears us as we live out the limits of being human.
Do you need to take knowledge off the pedestal of power to lay what you know at His feet?
Join me for the next 5 weeks to delve deeper into shattering the idol of knowledge to take hold of knowledge as God intends it to be.
This post may also be shared on: #MomentsofHope, #DreamTogetherLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, #Thought-Provoking Thursday, #Heart Ecnouragement, #LiveFreeThursday, #DanceWithJesus, #LLMLinkup, Faith-Filled Friday, Sitting Among Friends, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.
I would love to have you guest post on First and Second. Submissions for a guest directory on Idolizing Knowledge are due March 15th! More info on guest posting here.
I keep thinking “the more I know, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” Though I think in a world where we can “google” almost anything, it is easy to forget. And the idea that knowledge gives us a sense of control is huge–especially when all we really have is a “sense”–there is so little if anything we have control over!
I love that quote, Melissa! So helpful to remember, especially when it’s hard to accept God is in control!
Great insights here! Your post makes me realise how I seek more and more knowledge in certain situations, thinking it will give me power, but it really doesn’t. It just stresses me out because I am trying to deal with it myself, instead of trusting in God’s far greater knowledge and power.
I do the same thing Lesley! Just this morning the Lord got my attention about something I’ve been persistently trying to get more info about because I want to take control of the situation. No wonder it’s leaving me frustrated. Letting it be His to guide me in instead!
I loved this comment, “The gap between our knowledge and our power is where surrender lives.”
I love knowledge. I learn all that I can. I remember a few occasions when I had studied, talked to experts, and researched the best-known treatment for a loved one. But guess what they were not willing. It left me frustrated and angry and that is where God had to show me surrender. It was a painful ugly battle.
Maree
Sorry for the painful, ugly battle, Maree! So glad we can surrender to God- who works all things for good according to His purposes!
Another great post, Bethany! “God knows how to make good out of what’s not good.” Amen! You are so right that in that it comes back to trust. Are we going to trust in our all-knowing God? I believe He has good for me no matter what may come. The proof of His great love is evident by the cross. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Right, Mandy? I tend to make things about a whole lot of stuff before I come back to that little (huge!) fact: do I trust Him? We have all the proof we need in Jesus!
So good. I want to be equipped with knowledge, but not dependent upon it. I definitely don’t want it to make me grow distant from God! Great perspectives here. Thank you for sharing!
What a great way to phrase it Tiffany! Thank you!
Everything has its place including knowledge but it’s never above God. Somehow it seems the more you know you get weary….some wisdom Solomon found. And it’s true.
How are you doing?
Missed you loads.
Regards to your hubby too.
With much love from Nigeria. 😀
That is so true Ifeoma! Thanks for the reminder : ) I’m doing well! We’ll have to email again soon, I miss you and hope all is well with you and yours!
We are well, Bethany.
Thanks
God bless
THIS-
“The gap between our knowledge and our power is where surrender lives”
Bethany, you know I’ve written a study on surrender and so that word is so precious to me right now. I love this series, it’s so timely and convicting.
Well done my friend! <3
Thanks Dana! Yes- I cannot wait to read and work through that study 🙂 Knowledge is definitely an item I have more difficulty surrendering to the Lord, so this series is hugely convicting for me too.
Love this quote, “If we’re honest about the limits of human knowledge, we realize it is good we aren’t in control.” I am SO very thankful, I am not in control….although, at times, I forget I am not..lol. Thankful for these reminders!!
Oh my word, me too, Lindsey!
“Since His knowledge exceeds ours and He is good, we have reason to trust that whatever power He exerts, what He knows and what He does will align for our good and His glory.” Amen, love this Bethany!
It’s good we are not in control – yes and amen. I love how you’re diving into this topic. I’ve often said that God’s purpose isn’t to inform, but to transform. I can think of many things I think I’ve known, but in fact I’ve only had pieces of the whole story. Without God’s guidance and wisdom, and ultimately His plan, our knowledge doesn’t even approach fullness. Great post, friend.
I can think of so many instances of the same, Tiffany. One of the struggles of this topical series has been choosing just a few examples. So grateful that our fullness is filling up is found in Him and His transforming us, not in getting informed or gaining control. Thanks for your encouragement and insight, Tiffany!
Okay, this here… “Do you need to take knowledge off the pedestal of power to lay what you know at His feet?”… gah! How many times has ‘what I think I know’ gotten in the way of what He wants to really reveal?!
I love this! xxoo