Expressions of Faith
Real truth lets one respect all

By Debbie Garren
Special to The Advertiser

One-year-old Ethan toddled in and around the adults during our retreat meetings, curiously exploring each friendly face, eagerly accepting any offered food, freely investigating the confines of this space.Ê

His mother kept a watchful eye on him.ÊShe was on her feet and at his side in a flash if he toddled too close to danger ... steps to fall down, trash to eat, bugs that bite.Ê

And this was the picture that (eventually!) came to mind as I read in the Old Testament book of Isaiah 55:8-9: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts thanÊyour thoughts."Ê

However, my first question in meditating on these verses was not about the picture of Ethan toddling around.ÊRather, it was, "Does this mean my thoughts and ways are wrong?"Ê

After all, he is God, and by definition, then, would always be right.ÊSo where does that leave my thoughts and ways? Useless? Unimportant? Always overruled? Relationships where one person is always right are not ones I enjoy.

Reading through those two verses again, though, I focused on God's thoughts and ways as being higher than mine just as the heavens are higher than the earth.

The meaning of that took shape for me in the idea of sight and perspective.

God sees all of life and creation perfectly, every end from every beginning. And with such sight, his acts are always just and right and true.

Ethan's thoughts and ways certainly are not the same as his mother's. He does not have the same vision and perspective on his little life that she has. His thoughts and ways flow out of a very different and quite limited perspective. Yet there is no shame or reproach for him in this.ÊHe will grow and he will mature in how he sees life.Ê

With her help and guidance, his thoughts and ways will grow and change as well.ÊHis mother knows this and is content to let him toddle around, fully and freely experiencing life as he encounters it this moment, this day.Ê

And like Ethan's mom, God continually offers me great freedom to explore and to experience life as I encounter it in the present moment. I am allowed to own and to enjoy my thoughts and ways, even though they are not like his.ÊHe knows he will help me grow and mature.Ê

The question that remains for me, then, is this: Will I embrace faith as a child does, and let God clear my vision and perspective and shape my thoughts and ways?

Debbie Garren and her husband, Roy, are full-time ministry field staff members with the Navigators, an inter denominational Christian ministry. Their focus is the military community.

Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes written contributions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders of all beliefs. If you would like to submit a 500-word column for consideration, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8036.