My dog has something going on with her mouth right now, as she is salivating uncontrollably and dripping all over the place. Usually this is caused by picking something up with the mouth and there being a reaction to it, which may last for a couple of days. In some cases, it could be something in the mouth, which means one needs to investigate carefully all the corners of a dog's mouth. Needless to say, this is not a favorite activity of my dog!
When I go to the doctor with a sore throat, I open wide when he tells me to, and allow him to peer into the corners of my mouth as long as he needs, hoping he will diagnose the issue and a solution will quickly be recommended. This is because my level of comprehension is roughly similar to that of my doctor's. I have some understanding of cause/effect, I know that he is there to help me, and I should cooperate. But my dog knows none of this. She knows my fingers are probing around in her mouth, a flashlight is shining in her face as I look around in her watery mouth, and she doesn't like it! But I'm trying to see if there is anything that I can find as being the cause of her (and my) distress.
After taking a couple of philosophy courses last year, I have come to understand that there are some things that are impossible for God to do, not because he is somehow limited in His infinite power or weak, but simply because God does not contradict reality and there are things that simply are logically impossible. It is impossible for me to communicate to my dog the intention and heart behind my investigation of her salivation. I want what is best for her. I love her. I want to help her and find the source of her problem so I can do what needs to be done to correct it. I am not torturing her or in any way wanting to inflict discomfort or pain out of some perverse feeling. Yet I am limited -- I cannot communicate my intent to her. I cannot tell her why I am doing what I am doing. I must do what needs to be done, with gentleness and love, knowing that she will never understand. It sucks.
And this is I think something that occurs between God and humanity. We simply cannot understand what He is doing or why He is doing it. Please understand that if God were to make you understand His ways then you would cease to be you! And I'm not even sure it would be possible to understand His ways, as you'd need to be God, which God cannot create.
In addition, I love the fact that my dog is a dog! I wouldn't want to change her to be any more or less than she is. She is fun and brings joy and it is great to see her in all her doggie glory. And I think that God has wisely made us to be what we are--human and fallible--and will not change us, at least not without our consent (and thus why He is willing to allow people to perish). But such limitations come with limitations, some we grow out of, and others we simply continue in because of our nature. God certainly wants us to be conformed to the image of Christ, but I think He is far from interested in us becoming a completely different kind of thing, such as a turtle, or angel, or worse, demon.
One day God will fully transform me into one who can enjoy Him forever. However, while my sin will be removed, I will still be human and I think, still experience things He does that I do not understand. And that is ok, because love does not need full understanding to love.
