What We Now Know

We often feel we want to see further into future. But also it is a fact that we are already know much more concerning the future than we sometimes seem to suppose. Emerson said that further knowledge, further revelation, further truth, comes as we are willing and able to receive and accept it. But we often ignore what we know. We know that if we study, if we learn, we shall be better prepared for the future. But even if this, we still waste much time in more or less aimless activity—or inactivity. We know right now that if we are careful and courteous, we are less likely to have accidents. But even knowing this, we often ignore the laws of safety. We know that if we live moderately and refrain from harmful substances into ourselves we shall feel better, and have better health. But even knowing this, we often ignore the laws of health and open ourselves to illness. We know right now that if we keep the commandments we shall have a quiet conscience—and if we break laws we shall pay a price. But even knowing this, we still break laws we shall pay a price. We know that if we are unfaithful or dishonest we shall lose the confidence of others. We know right now that if we don’t pay debts, we shall lose our credit. All these things we know and many more. But we don’t always live as if we knew what we know. This must have been what Emerson meant when he said, that “it is not an arbitrary “decree of God,’ but in the nature of a man that a veil shuts down on the facts of tomorrow…” When we are ready for it, when we are willing to use it, we shall know more than we know now. In the meantime its is our obligation and opportunity to respect the knowledge, and commandments that God has already given, with assurance that the future will unfold for us, according to our willingness to use what we do now know.