Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Quote of the Day

"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties."
Sir Francis Bacon
This quote reminds me of the way I describe my own journey. When asked, I usually say something like, “In my twenties, I knew everything—you need an answer, just ask me, I know. In my thirties, I realized that I really do not know all the much—at least not for certain. In my forties, I have lots of questions and very few definitive answers.”

A good question, approached with honesty, can lead to Sir Francis Bacon’s ‘certainty’. An arrogant certainty can lead to questions and doubts all around you—particularly those who love you most.

I marvel at the teaching of Jesus, who when confronted with an expert and their cleverness, he would answer with an insightful question and let the truth of the situation ‘speak for itself’.

Jesus, help me to question sincerely and listen clearly today.

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