Consider the following:
There were three men that lived in an arid land, far from any body of water. They had heard tales of something called “the ocean” but knew it was a journey away. They each decided to make the trip and travel to experience the ocean. Yet, each had to go on their own, at different times.
The first man went and was amazed by the beauty and grand nature that he observed once in the ocean. But he had entered at a shallow area. He walked for some time, but the water never went higher than his knee. The man returned to his land feeling as if he had a full experience of the ocean.
The second man went and was amazed by the beauty and splendor that he observed in the ocean. He also walked into the waters and as he walked the depth of the ocean went up to his waist. He walked for some time and the ocean never went any higher. He also returned to his land feeling as if he had a full experience of the ocean.
The third man went and was amazed by the beauty and majesty that he observed in the ocean. He followed suit and also began wading into the ocean. As he walked the depth of the water rose from his ankles to his knees, to his waist, to his chest, to his neck. Once the man was neck-deep, he went no further. He realized that the ocean could become potentially overwhelming in depth. Wishing to return home and not wanting to become lost in the waters, he returned to shore. The man returned to his land with a feeling of awe, wonder, and humility from encountering the vast, expansive nature of the ocean.
Upon the return of the third, the three men conversed about their experiences. The first man was convinced that he had walked the full depths of the ocean and could not accept the testimony of the other two. The second man, seeing the foolishness of the first and having experienced an increase in water depth as he walked, he realized the likely truth of the third man’s account. But only the third man was able to posit firsthand the potential, true vastness of the ocean. He was saddened the others did not share his experience yet he was full of gratitude for what he knew.
