The Greek philosopher and scholar Socrates was quoted as saying, “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” I’ve heard it being quoted as “If I am wise it is because I know that I do not know.”

How many of us judge ourselves or judge others by what we or they know? Assessing intelligence and aptitude, determining who is smart and who may not be as smart. Yet in spite of all of the intelligence and book smarts one may or may not have, when it comes to God, we still do not know.

We do not know how something fits into a bigger plan, we simply accept that God has a bigger plan and whatever it may be, (unemployment, cancer, divorce, death, getting a new job, etc.) must all be pieces of this puzzle that we call the bigger plan. I am reminded of the song, “Trust and Obey.” Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

That may very well be true. We can either spend our time trying to figure out the why or the how and trying to get God to reveal the great secrets to all his plans; doubting, questioning, resisting, challenging or we can trust and obey. We can simply say and accept the truth, that we do not know. And maybe we do not need to know.

If we can empty ourselves of this sense of fulfillment in having theological knowledge, this scholarly, well-educated, knowledgeable premise we have all the answers, we may just end up making room for what God has to share with us. Maybe to become wise in our understanding and relationship and growth with God through Christ, we must first be willing to say, “I know that I do not know.” Maybe it’s a chance to start with a clean slate. “God, I know nothing, and I want to be filled with your knowledge.”

I will simply trust and obey, refuse to doubt or question and become accepting of what you reveal to me each day, each hour, each moment. I know nothing now and I may know more in the next moment and even that may change in the next moment. Maybe this makes room for the Holy Spirit to work within us. Maybe we should give the opportunity to educate us, illuminate us, reveal to us what his will is for our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us that we are to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

I know that I do not know, and that God does know. Maybe it’s time we all stopped leaning on our own understanding and simply trust and obey.

REV. BARRY VASSAR can be reached at fitzgeraldmemorial@ gmail.com.