The Power of Mystery

The human need to know is God-given, AND the key remedy for the pride of humanity is Mystery. This is also the gift of God. Keeping both of these truths in mind is key to a Normal Orthodox life.

I do this sometimes. When I’m checking out at the grocery store, I read the outlandish headlines on the tabloid papers displayed there. Of course, that’s why they put those papers there—so you can read them while you wait in line. Smart marketing!

But sometimes the headlines are so outrageous that I will actually pick the paper up and look inside!

Why are we drawn to sensational stories? Why do we relish conspiracy theories? Why was the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” TV show so popular?

We desire to know everything, and we need to learn that there are some things we can not truly know. Don’t get me wrong. The desire to know, to understand, is a good desire. BUT, like all our desires, unless that desire is tempered by wisdom and tamed by humility, the very =good desire becomes a driving passion that destroys us. Sometimes, the best reality we can embrace is one where “mystery” isn’t something to be solved as much as a reality meant to make us humble and wise!

One mystery stands above all others: Just how deep does God’s mercy go?