Unaware
The cost of ignorance
My nights in Braamfontein, and even the days, were usually cold. The temperature dropped as low as 4 degrees Celsius on my first two nights. I ended up sleeping on the couch in the living room, shivering under layers of clothing. Well, I was working late and feared I might oversleep if I used the comfort of the bedroom. The discomfort of the couch felt like a necessary trade-off for productivity.
The room had an air conditioner, but I left it off. I shut the balcony doors and sealed every inlet to keep the cold out. Yet, the chill still crept in, and I found myself wondering why there wasn’t a room heater. I scoured the suite in vain for one but didn’t think to call reception to ask.
It wasn’t until the second day that I learned the truth. A friend of mine, also staying at the hotel, mentioned to me how she stayed warm by adjusting the air conditioner to a higher temperature. I stared at her in disbelief. It had never occurred to me that an air conditioner could also produce heat. Back home, where I rarely use one, air conditioners have always been synonymous with cooling. I’d never explored their full functionality. But her explanation suddenly made sense—air conditioner, not specific to cold or hot, just conditioning the air to your desired temperature.
When I returned home that day, I quickly adjusted the settings, and for the first time in two days, felt properly warm. What’s more, I wasn’t alone in my ignorance. Another colleague mentioned their frustration at not having a room heater, and I happily passed on my newfound knowledge. “Just turn up the air conditioner,” I said, laughing at how oblivious we both had been.
But isn’t that the thing about ignorance? It doesn’t always cost much, but it often leaves us grappling with unnecessary discomfort. As you read this, I’m sure you’re recalling your own moments of being unaware—when the solution was right in front of you, or when you unknowingly took the longer, harder route.
The Bible reminds us of the cost of ignorance in Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Ignorance doesn’t just lead to small inconveniences; it can have serious consequences in our spiritual, emotional, and physical lives.
For instance, many people live beneath their potential simply because they don’t know what God has made available to them. Romans 10:3 highlights this reality: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (You can replace righteousness with anything else).
Without knowledge, we strive in vain, unaware of the grace and solutions that already exist for our challenges.
I experienced another of those moments during an ongoing retreat. My colleagues and I were heading out for a walk from our residence. The main gate was heavy and difficult to push open, so we struggled to get it out of the way. It wasn’t until we were nearly done with our walk that someone noticed a smaller gate we could have used all along. The next time, of course, we used the smaller gate, and everything was easier.
This mirrors life itself. Sometimes, we struggle with burdens unnecessarily because we don’t pause to seek understanding or wisdom. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” In other words, knowledge and insight make the journey easier, whether it’s something as small as finding warmth or as significant as navigating life’s challenges.
So, what’s the way out of ignorance?
Seek knowledge intentionally: We’ve previously discussed this as the act of asking or calling God. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Cf. Proverbs 4:7). Be curious, ask questions, and learn from God and even others. Sometimes, the answers we seek are just a conversation or a question away.
Lean on God’s word: Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Regularly immersing ourselves in God’s Word equips us with the wisdom to navigate life’s complexities.
Be teachable: None of the two points I have listed is achievable when there is pride. Pride can often keep us from learning; “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Cf. Proverbs 11:2). A humble heart allows us to admit when we don’t know something and seek guidance.
So, are you in your Braamfontein moment? My experience should serve as a reminder: take responsibility for your ignorance and work towards overcoming it. The good thing is that our experiences are rarely isolated. Just as someone else didn’t know what to do, another person did.
One thing I’ve come to realise is that there’s nothing you’re going through that is entirely new. Someone, somewhere, has walked a similar path. And even if you can’t find them, know that God has guided others through situations just like yours. You can always call on Him and turn to Him for wisdom and direction. As James 1:5 assures us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Let your Braamfontein moments lead to growth, and let ignorance be replaced with understanding. After all, the answers are often closer than you think.
📍 What I’ve Enjoyed Recently
I recently watched ‘What does my headscarf mean to you?’ a brilliant TED talk by Yassmin Abdel-Magied, a Sudanese–Australian author. She discussed unconscious bias and how it affects our initial perception of people, places, and even situations.
Then, I binged Classified, a gripping South African series. It follows the story of a young teenager who narrowly escapes a jail sentence in America, relocates to live with her estranged father, and unexpectedly finds herself navigating the thrilling world of espionage. It’s packed with drama, suspense, and plenty of twists that kept me hooked from start to finish.