Ezekiel 37:3  Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” (NLT)

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Sometimes, the smartest thing we can say is, “I don’t know.”

Sometimes, the smartest conversation we can have is shaped by questions.

Sometimes, the smartest thing we can do is to declare our ignorance and point toward better resources. 

Someone asked me a question one day about something about which I had very little knowledge. I answered anyway. My ignorance quickly became apparent. I was embarrassed and deserved the shame I felt. 

Sometimes, we can confidently answer a question in such a manner that people will believe what we say even if we don’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Again, shame on us. 

The fastest way to enter the pathways of knowledge and understanding is to admit what you don’t know. As Coach John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

I am being interviewed today by a newspaper reporter who has interviewed me before regarding issues in our denomination. I must remember today to confess my ignorance and to tread carefully in those areas where I know more than I should say. 

How can these ideas help you have a better day? 

Job and Ezekiel were quick to confess their ignorance as they stood in God’s presence and responded to questions he used to stretch their understanding. Opportunities to stretch our intelligence arrive regularly. Learning occurs best when we invite God to fill our empty understanding with his fulfilling wisdom.

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I will keep my lack of understanding handy to make room for God’s wisdom.

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Our Father, little children sing, “I am weak, but he is strong.” May we adults imitate this posture when we reach the limits of our knowledge. Fill our emptiness. Instruct us with your truth. Deliver us from acting like we know it all. Prevent us from remaining ignorantly unaware of important truths. Amen.