Many fools at church will assume
That they will understand the Bible
Readily enough without any need
For cognitive grunting or sweating or stretching.

Some other fools among them,
Having a bit more realistic view,
Will recognize that it is harder
Than the others will admit,
And will cling to the words of the pastor
Who promises to do the heavy lifting for them.

But only a few will be wise enough
To figure out that God wanted them
To grow from thinking through it for themselves―
From doing their own math
And checking their own conclusions
Against everything else in the Book.

These are the ones most apt to realize
That it should be quite a stretch
To understand those Thoughts and Ways
That are higher than their own―
And that the wrestling is indeed
Worth their trouble.

---

⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God. Isaiah 55:6-9. NIV.