1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

There are two important truths in this verse. The first is simply that we don’t, we can’t, know perfectly at this point. Mirrors in Paul’s day were polished metal, and their polishing techniques were far from the mechanical precision that is used today. Reflections in such mirrors were useful, but hardly precise. It’s not that the knowledge of God we have today is useless, it’s that it is highly limited. Actually, it’s not simply knowledge of God, but knowledge in general that is highly limited. Many today have trouble accepting that statement, because scientific knowledge has indeed seen exponential growth and we live in an Information Age, where tools for extracting information from the flood of data become almost more important than the information itself. Even so, there is far more that even scientists do not know about the universe than they do know. That’s why science is such a delightful field for a truly inquiring mind, because there is always so much more that can be learned. Sadly, many people turn that on its head and use statements like, “The science is settled” to shut off inquiry, for the purpose of exerting political power. Humility is one of the most important tools of a true scientist. That said, the other truth in this verse is also very important, and that is that God knows everything about us perfectly. A lot of people are extremely uncomfortable with that idea, and some of them try to deny it by saying God doesn’t exist. How foolish! Such people have not “set aside childish ways,” as the verse prior to this says. We can’t even grasp how perfectly God is aware of us. Jesus specified that even the hairs on our heads are numbered, (Matthew 10:30) and He said that God knows everything we need even before we ask Him. (Matthew 6:8) When we know and trust the love of God, that is good news indeed. The fun thing to look forward to is that once we are freed from the limitations of these bodies, we will be able to know perfectly as well.

This has always been an area of great interest for me, because I love learning new stuff. I’ve lived long enough that some “facts” that were taught me have been proven false, so I approach every “authority” with a healthy dose of skepticism. I remember the story of how my oldest sister was being home-schooled around the time I was born, and her textbook insisted that “pines are always straight and tall,” when our house was surrounded by twisted pine trees. I don’t think she ever trusted a textbook again! I am interested but often amused at the various pronouncements that come from CERN and elsewhere, insisting that “breakthroughs” have been made when often enough those “discoveries” are later disproved. Of actually more importance, I am continually amazed at prayer. It violates human logic that prayer would make a difference when God already knows everything, and we are so small on the cosmic scale anyway, but it is demonstrably true, as well as stated or implied countless times in the Bible, that prayer indeed matters. In the same teaching session in which He said that God knows what we need before we ask, Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock. (Matthew 7:7-8) I’ve come to the conclusion that prayer is certainly not forcing God to do what we want, but is rather a process of getting ourselves in line with Him so that His best for us may be manifested. I guess full understanding of prayer will have to wait until I’m before His throne!

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of prayer, of fellowship with You. Thank You for the assurance that You indeed know me perfectly, and yet You love me anyway. I so long to give others that assurance! I ask that You use me to do so, to open their eyes to You and Your love for them so that they may repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!