When I was in seventh grade, our science teacher had us build what he called a terrarium. We were to procure and cut open a two liter soda bottle, dig up a bit of earth—enough to fill up the bottom of the bottle, seal it and then watch, observe and record our findings.
I remember one day in particular coming to school only to discover that inside my terrarium were several maggots. I was completely disgusted, but my teacher, smiling one of those “you’re-about-to-learn-something” smiles, said, “Keep an eye on it the next few days.”
Some days later I came to school to find the terrarium was filled with teeny tiny flies. That was the day I learned that maggots are “fly babies” and not somehow created and generated from old meat…don’t ask…limited knowledge and childhood misconception.
But speaking of that, we do face this issue spiritually–limited knowledge and understanding of matters. In fact, Paul says: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” 1 Corinthians 13:11, 12a
There may be issues throughout our walk with Christ of which we have a child-like understanding, but as time progresses and we mature in our faith, things become a little clearer through discipleship and mentoring, studying and meditating on God’s Word. There are some things, however, we may never quite grasp or understand while on Earth, though we try. But we do have the hope of eternity, when things will be made complete. And we have the hope that when we see Jesus face to face, we, “…shall know fully, even as [we are] fully known.” (vs 12b)
–Katie Botello
