One of my earliest posts on this blog was entitled- “Lurcher’s Crag, a question of revelation,” It used Lurcher’s Crag, which gets its name from the fact that it resembles in shape a breed of dog called a lurcher. Two photographs depicted the difference between head knowledge and revelation.

This photo represents head knowledge. With head knowledge one often only vaguely see why lurchers crag was so named.

Hopefully you will see the lurcher more clearly in this photo, at least the head, back and rear.

The background story to my first post was that when I first came to Aviemore I was told how Lurcher’s Crag got its name but when I looked at it I only vaguely saw it. Many years later its features were pointed out to me more clearly. And when you can see it in conditions like the second picture you can make it out easier in the first. The same is true when God reveals something to us through His Word or Spirit. When we look back we can see events in a different light. However, God reveals different things to different people. Sometimes we appear to be at cross purposes with unbelievers or even other Christians because we see the second picture in our minds when what they see is the equivalent of the first. This can lead to frustration on both sides and requires patience to overcome any difficulties.

There a second point that I would like to add. There are times for days in end when the Cairngorms are covered in cloud and mist and there is no chance of discerning the lurcher. The fact is that when God reveals Himself to Christians in some way oy other he does not do so to give them some warm fuzzy feeling. More likely the exact opposite. The testimonies of many of the great Christians of the past have shown that their greatest spiritual experiences often happen just before if not during periods of great trial in their lives. You want an Isaiah chapter 6 revelation of God? Well tradition has it that Isaiah was the person referred to In Hebrews chapter 11 who was sawn in two. Still sure you want an Isaiah chapter 6 encounter? Be careful what you pray for, God might just give it to you.

David Rose, 2018. [The original post “Lurcher’s Crag, a question of Revelation.” was published in December 2012.]