Epiphanies don't happen to know-it-alls
Dear Trinity Family,
Jesus’ grace to you on this Epiphany Day. Recently, one of our biggest conflicts came from a big old misunderstanding. She said something, but I heard so much more. I filled in meaning and motive where there wasn’t any. We stand on such dangerous ground when we think we know more than we really do. Even more damaging if we dig in our heels. Epiphany.
Epiphany is the experience of revelation. Epiphanies usually come as a surprise. They are more likely among the curious. Seekers experience the joy of epiphany more than know-it-alls. Magi with questions have a greater capacity for epiphany than Herods, chief priests and scribes with all the answers. I came up with a couplet a few years ago, that has stuck.
I know everything I know.
But, I don’t know everything.
The first part isn’t actually true, but it feels true. There are many times I have been confident that I knew something, that God or conversation or further light has corrected or clarified. The second part is true without nuance or caveat. I DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING. And, neither do you.
This is the first step in discipleship. The following life is a venture begun in humble faith. Abraham and Sarah set out to a destination unknown by paths as yet untrodden. But, they were following a word. Moses, Miriam, and Aaron and their huge extended family set out following God’s pillar of fire by night and cloud by day, because God told them to. Mary and Joseph and Jesus would have to follow the directions Egypt-ward given to them in a dream. We think the most important following question is “Where?” It is actually, “Who?” If God is leading, then the where, the when, the how, the where all will be settled by the One who is calling. Epiphany isn’t ultimately about stars. Epiphany is about our Savior, who says, “Follow me.”
Jesus’ peace, Nathan