"In the fable about the blind men and the elephant, the first blind man grabbed hold of the elephant’s trunk and announced that an elephant is like a snake. The second man felt the elephant’s leg, and declared that an elephant is like a tree. The third caught hold of the elephant’s tail, and exclaimed that an elephant is like a rope. The fourth leaned against the elephant’s side, and swore that the elephant is like a wall. Who was right?
They were, of course, all right, and yet their partial understandings about the elephant did not add up to the whole truth about the elephant. In fact, their individual perceptions did not even add up to a realistic description of an elephant. In a way, that could be said to be like theology; blind men telling each other about the bit of the elephant that they have got hold of and making suppositions about the rest of the elephant.
It’s awfully difficult to describe the whole truth about God. Some descriptions might be more true or accurate than others, but all descriptions are incomplete. The truth of God is always greater than what we can say about God. If anyone tries to tell you that they have got God all sewn up and neatly packaged, don’t believe them. God is infinite, as love is infinite.”
Christina Rees, "The Divine Embrace: Discovering the Reality of God's Love."
Whenever I think about this powerful parable, I am reminded of the importance of being open to hear and learn from others. We are different and we see things from different angles. God also reveals Himself to each of us in His special way. Knowing God is an unending pathway and journey. As God unfolds Himself to us, we learn to submit and position our hearts to embrace Him and all that He pours lavishly into our lives.
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