I saw this quote in one of the pieces I’m reading: One sees only what one knows.

Just ruminating on that a bit, and considering some of what it means.  

One of the first things that pops into mind is another saying- When you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

My life has led me through a series of events, many of which have taught me valuable lessons. But there’s a lot more that I don’t know. I look at certain things and feel like I have a better understanding now. This is probably true…. compared to me 30 years ago. But that doesn’t mean I have a full understanding of those certain things. I only see what I know probably means me deficiency in understanding translates to me imagining I have a correct grasp of what’s going on, when I really don’t.

I hope I have enough epistemic, and spiritual, humility to readily admit ignorance. I mouth the words a lot in prayer, but probably functionally act otherwise. I also absolutely believe that I am a child of God, and he will guide me along paths even when I have no idea what’s going on.

I took a job in a law firm a few years ago, and part of my prayer was for the Lord to help me be effective in whatever I do here. I know nothing about law, nothing about Intellectual Property, nothing about how to reach people in those areas where I’m working, and no idea how to help my firm become more effective at what it is trying to do. But the Lord does. So I’m praying that He will guide my steps, and move, even silently, to make me more effective.

What I know is that I’m locked in to who I am. I can’t see beyond my limited view. It’s a big world though, with lots of other moving parts and, I believe, an end and a goal towards which it is moving, all at the direction of a creator. What I want to do is get on board with him, and let him guide my steps.

I’ll do my best to get understanding, as Proverbs says, but recognize at the same time that the world is much too big and complex for me to understand. I can only see what I know, and I don’t know that much.