“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter…” (Proverbs 25:2a)

I believe there’s a conspiracy out there to hide the true meaning of words. Its’ goal is to take words that God has concealed mystery within on purpose, and make them common place so that no one really understands them at all - but at least they appear to. And if they can appear to understand the words by incorporating them into everyday language, regardless of how appropriate or accurate their usage, spirituality and vibrance will be assumed.

The conspiracy is subtle, and no man in particular is behind it, but it is as ugly as death itself - in fact, its’ working leaves a trail of death in its wake. The big problem is, it leaves an aroma that make all of those who follow in its’ trail think that the death they are experiencing is really life.

Let me explain. Jenny and I were talking about the “glory of God”, and how we really know little of what that means. We are taught to “do all for the glory of God”, that God’s main ambition is “His glory”, and that He is worthy to receive “all glory”. So, that means every circumstance, even the most difficult ones, are “for His glory”. Great things happen - “Glory to God!” - someone tragically dies - “Well, we don’t know why, God is mysterious. But, we do know that somehow God gets His glory!”

Now, if we take these words in without in any way questioning them (a taboo thing nowadays, so as not to appear “unspiritual” or “troublesome”) then we begin to really believe alot of wrong meanings about some very important words. We begin to trade truth for appearances, and reputation for reality. And not only do we miss out on the life that is found in the true knowledge of God, but God gets a bad-rap because things like His infinite, amazing glory are made into human “vain-glory” - God trying to puff Himself up through making things the way He wants them, no matter if they are truly good or evil.

However, instead of merely accepting them, if we take the thought at face-value and with a spirit of hunger do a little bit of searching - wait a minute! We can’t really say that a tragic death was “for the glory of God” when the scripture says “Behold, I take no pleasure in the death of anyone.” (Ezek. 18:32) can we?

I don’t know about you, but I grew up with a “don’t ask” policy in church. I was told - “Just accept everything in faith and believe it! Gosh darn, if it doesn’t make sense, just believe it! Where is your faith? Don’t be rebellious by asking questions! Why can’t you just believe what the Word says? ”

Well, simply because I’m not too sure it does. If I really want the Word of God to be my final authority, than out with the traditions of man - ranging from minute details like the kind of fruit Eve ate in the garden and the number of wise men that came to Jesus, to the biggest questions like “What really is the Glory of God?” and “Who is Jesus?” or “What is the meaning of grace?”

But, doesn’t God view “question-asking” as annoying? Shouldn’t we get right on with just believing what He said - even if that’s not really what He said at all, but the out-of-context pseudo-version of what that man over there said? Or are those words given to us with mystery on purpose to set us on the adventure of eternity, created for us to find? I’m not saying we fit everything into what makes sense for us, but I’m not content merely believing a bunch of “correct” scriptures and fitting them in some of my language and actions. I want discovery, I want revelation. I want to Jesus and His ways for myself!

Consider Matthew 13. Jesus’ disciples ask Him why He always speaks in parables. And right there - you know what He says? He tells them parables so that they won’t understand. What?!! It must be for God’s glory.. I mean… what?!! Yes. He told the people parables so that they would not get what he was saying to them. At all. And unlike all the other rabbis, who also were known to tell parables from time to time - Jesus almost NEVER gave the punch line at the end. In fact, right before the punch line, the “lesson of the story”, He would just walk away!!

“Eat of my flesh and drink of my blood or you have no part of me.” Stuff like that, and then He would walk away. Why? Because He’s mean? Because He’s careless? NO! Because He wanted to see who REALLY wanted to know Him. He wanted to see who REALLY had a spirit that hungered after truth, who weren’t satisfied with the life-less answers the crowd had grown accustomed to. And those people would leave everything to follow Jesus and get the answers.

They would fight through the crowd that was leaving Jesus to go on towards Him and His few men walking away. And when they would get there - Jesus would tell them everything they wanted to know. Because they had followed Him - they left “good-enough” answers behind and craved through difficulty the real thing. And Jesus not only gave them the punch-lines, He gave them “mysteries hidden since the foundation of the World” and most importantly, He gave them Himself.

Love always desires longing. Love always desires following. Love always desires truth, not just surface level - but the real deal. Everyone loves a good suspense story, to find out what happens at the end. God placed this hunger deep within us, and instead of repenting of it and saying “Oh God! Forgive me for trying to search out these matters instead of just having faith.” - we should say “Oh God! I believe these things are true in faith and BECAUSE I do - I’m not going to be satisfied with the lifeless substitute definition, I want the real thing that breeds hope and excitement! I’m going to search it out for myself!”

“…and it’s the honor of Kings to search it out.” (Proverbs 25:2b)

Jesus said ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find. But do we? Let’s let the refreshing waters of awe, mystery, and seeking proceed from our faith instead of making faith the excuse that we don’t really know God’s ways.