Explaining the Internet to an Ant (Genesis 1:26)

In the book, The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren uses the following analogy to describe heaven.

What’s it going to be like in eternity with God? Frankly the capacity of our brains cannot handle the wonder and greatness of heaven. It would be like trying to explain the internet to an ant. It’s futile. Words have not been invented that could possibly convey the experience of eternity.

I often ponder this analogy. First of all, there is no known language that exists that can effectively communicate between man and insect. And even if it did exist, how would one possibly convey the importance of heaven to this insect?

Now take the example of God communicating with man. It is no different except that God has created us in His own image.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26

What does this mean? We are still infinitely smaller than God in many ways. But God has given us something no ant, insect, or other animal possesses.  God has given us a conscience; a deep longing for a relationship with Him.

There is much in the Bible that is mysterious. We may ponder the Virgin Birth, the Trinity, and Heaven. Artists have attempted to depict it. Poets have attempted to describe it. But ultimately, it will not be until we are in God’s presence when we will truly understand what it all means. Until then, God has given us a desire to know Him and to want to have fellowship with Him. But He knows that we cannot reach God on our own efforts. This is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross and be resurrected. And whoever believes in Him as Lord and Savior will have eternal life.

Like an ant, we may not have the capacity to completely understand God. But God has given us enough information to seek Him and know that He loves us.

And this is all the information that we need.

Praise God for His mercy and goodness.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.