Pages

Friday, March 28, 2008

Truth at a Slant

I was reminded today of this poem by Emily Dickinson:
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind --
I was thinking about how God is constantly at work revealing truth as we are ready for it. This poem gives me the image of truth coming to us gradually, dazzling us as it is revealed. But if it came all at once, it would overwhelm. God knows what we can handle, and He is so patient with us. He has been dazzling me lately--giving glimpses of truth, then widening the light little by little as I'm able to take it in. Truth at a slant.

I've heard my sister try to explain to her 8 year old son (Karston) that her 5 year old son (Josiah) is not yet ready to understand an idea or concept because of his age and development. We're all like that. God waits. He holds on to it for us. Waiting. I always want to rush ahead and reach for what I'm not ready for. I want to run when I've just learned to walk, and I fall on my face. But I'm learning to slow down and trust God to give me truth at a slant, so I eagerly wait to be dazzled (and sometimes humbled by my ignorance when I thought I had it figured out already).

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6

3 comments:

Chris said...

When you think you're in the " perfect " relationship with God he peels back and reveals another of his endless layers of goodness. Just when you think you have the whole thing figured out he peels another and another. God is ever evolving. Each layer you peel back only gets sweeter and sweeter....I learned there is no comfort zone when it comes to God.

Richard said...

Thanks for this post - Spoke to me big time!

Reese said...

I expect to see your new poem here soon. Don't let the wheel cause you to go mad!! I had fun with you thanks for going with me.