Parents explain the world by simplifying things down into ways children can understand. No one would expect a parent to use the history of society or the behavioral traits of nomadic tribes to explain to a child that friends are important. Instead, adults simplify the message so that the key points make it through to the child. Now, every child has a different propensity for understanding messages. Some kids are just brighter than others; some naturally understand certain concepts and struggle to grasp other ones. As such, a parent will tailor a message to each child in a way that will maximize the impact based on that child's ability to comprehend and utilize the information. The important thing to see is that, although the child cannot possible understand the total scope of the idea, they can behave as if they do when taught properly.

In other words, a child may not understand the importance of shared society, social benefits of groups, or job specialization, but they can be taught to share and be kind to others. They can behave as if they understand the importance of social interactions and get the key parts correct, even without an understanding of the whole scope.

I believe that God acts in a very similar way with us, only on a much more intense scale. Eventually, a child will grow up into an adult, and their propensity to understand will be equal. Humans on the other hand, are finite beings with a limit ability to understand. When compared to an infinite God we cannot even begin to comprehend the separation between the scope of things and what we are exposed to.

God cannot show us the whole of everything. God can't even show us the whole of something. Instead, He has to simplify things down in ways we can understand, and just as the children above everyone has a different propensity for understanding. I think God shows different people different parts of Himself and in different ways. The end result of this is that two different people can sit next to each other, with totally different views of God, and both be 100% right. Interestingly, they are both probably very ignorant. I think that you can lock yourself up for 70 years, and spend so much time learning about God that you make Billy Graham and Joel Osteen look like pre-schoolers, and you'll still only have scratched the surface.

The point, is that we can never understand God or even really know Him. (in the knowledge sense, not the personal relationship sense) What we can do is trust Him to teach us the things that we need in order to behave in the manner He wants us to. We won't get the same things that everyone else does, because we have a different capacity than those around us; however, we will get what is best for us. I look at those around me and rejoice for what God is showing them, even if it doesn't make sense to me. I look within myself and I am blown away that an infinite God would invest into a finite being. I pray that I am faithful in what I am given and I pray that I never forget that all the knowledge in the world is nothing in comparison to the God of the Universe.