“Now Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Hebrews 11:1-3

Today I learned what the word “Sophomore” means. While it’s typically more American, it is used for someone who is in their second year (typically college or university students). It comes from two greek words that seem to contradict themselves. In Greek, “Sophos” means wise, and “Moros” means fool. Put together it means “wise fool” alluding to how they know enough information to think they know it all, but not enough to realize they aren’t the expert in the topic.

I sometimes wonder if I am a wise fool. I have lived long enough to know how to navigate through difficulties. I am old enough to know that while things seem overwhelming in the moment, the world isn’t actually ending and everything is going to be okay. I have been a Christian long enough that I think I know God, and that I know a lot about Him. When I was in Bible college, especially in my second year, I was most definitely a wise fool. In my second year I felt very smart, and the more I learned about God the more I realized how little I actually knew about Him.

I love how the author of Hebrews talks about faith, and that by faith we understand that God made the universe out of absolutely nothing. When we stop and take a look at everything around us, at anything around us, we can see how majestic God is. We see the beauty that He created, and how intricate He created things. When I see these things, especially in nature, I see how little I know of the power of God. How while I may be a little wise, I can still be a fool.

Perhaps instead of these contradicting each other, they are supposed to be held in tension with one another. I should aim to be wise, and try and know God more and more because I want a stronger relationship with Him. I also realize that I would be a fool to think I arrived, or maybe yet I feel like a fool because for 26 years I have known God and I still don’t know Him fully. Once we recognize that we are sophomores we can allow God to reveal Himself to us more and more, we can stop and listen to what He has to tell us and we can learn more and more about Him. Then we can fall more and more in love with Him each and every day.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you are so much greater and holier than we could ever know or imagine. We worship you, and aim to know you more and more each day.

-Austin Christianson

Shepherding and Worship Pastor