In college I took a biology class with a brilliant professor. I had entered the course because it was required to complete my degree. Most of the students in the class had joined for the same reason. Because of that, it’s fair to say my expectations were low. Instead of finding a dreary prerequisite, I found a professor enlivened by his subject. He was excited to come and teach us every day. No biology subject seemed personally intriguing to me, and yet he could teach us about the kingdoms, latin roots and scientific words, and the dynamics of DNA with a wonderful joy that seemed to transcend all of our lack of interest.

I suppose I found him encouraging. He would be so excited to show us this world of biology that I couldn’t help but become interested. During our lab times, we would take our the school’s set of microscopes. There were only eight of them so we had to share. After the laughable yet completely required microscope competency tests, we would then begin to dive into various microscopic…endeavors. With learned precision we could soon identify various bacterias and examine the cell structures of a number of dead things. It would take a while to bring the image into focus, admittedly we often needed the professors help, but when the image was finally clear I would silently marvel at the complexities of God’s creation. Only under such precise magnification could what I was seeing be seen. Studied. Examined.

I realized that biologists, chemists, and many scientists in many fields worked tirelessly to unravel what I had just barely peered into. Lifetimes were and would be spent looking deeper, more closesly, more precisely - at the complexities of creation. Our country spends billions of dollars to allow people to look closer, harder. To find the details inside the details, and unravel the mysteries yet to be found.

I don’t know when it was, but pondering such a truth made me question something. If it takes billions of dollars, thousands of brilliant minds from the most highly regarded institutions, all with the most advanced technology (invented by more of those brilliant minds from other highly regarded institutions) to even begin to unravel the complexities of creation - - then how in the world do we put the Creator beneath the same microscope and expect absolute understanding. Creation itself has yet to be even remotely unraveled. Yet all around you there are books and tapes and television shows claiming the very thing I find utterly impossible. A perfectly understandable clear view of God. There aren’t step by step programs or self-help instruction manuals that will achieve this goal. It by nature (human in fact) is entirely unachievable.

God simply cannot fit beneath humanity’s microscope. We may try to put him there in hopes of disecting truth and great understanding, just like we attempt to do with his very creation, but we are ever incapable. The irony lies in the fact scripture affirms this truth. Job cries out “How great is God—beyond our understanding!” I believe it is to our joy and his glory that he is entirely outside our comprehension.

The truth is we stand utterly broken, yet desperately seeking the divine. We shift and slide the lens before our eyes as if to find clarity. Each one of us gripping the knobs and twisting them to our own purposes and needs. You twist one denominational knob and I twist another. Perhaps you twist one political knob and I twist another. Perhaps a knob based on how you grew up or another based on your circumstances. How do we find a clear picture when our vision is marred by our very humanity. I stand to reason we cannot, and the only reason so many in the faith fail to admit it is because it feels like concession.

Truth is never concession. Our view may be broken but is it so painful to be left in awe and wonder? How great is our God that he is beyong our understanding. How broken our view as we hopelessly attempt such a venture. I hope to joy in the wonder and awe. To look fresh upon my Creator and Savior and Love and Friend each day. He is my hope and my salvation. I am a broken vessel unworthy and yet entirely overcome with tears in realizing that God sent his Son to die on the cross, his Word to bring light to my soul and a lamp to my path, and His Spirit to bring conviction, repentence, and understanding.

Only within the lens of God’s word and the light of His spirit do we get but a glimpse of the divine in our humanity. It is not found in a denomination, movement, or formula. It is certainly not found beneath a microscope focused loosely upon our differences and backgrounds. It is found in Christ alone.