Monday, August 27, 2012

Seeing Through God's Eyes


"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see."~Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG

Christian faith is a mystery in its own way because it honestly can't be defined in a box. This faith is a personal response to a loving God that also can't be seen or narrowly defined. Often what we see, can be confused, by what truly exists. It's only when we look beyond what we see, that we really come closer to learning truth.

My husband and I are very blessed to have a wonderful neighbor that is as close to a perfect neighbor as one could have. He is one of the most kind and caring people I've ever met.  What makes him unique is he's a little rough around the edges. He's not interested impressing people, but he is interested in caring about people. Sadly, he has been battling a terminal illness for the past couple years, yet, he refuses to let it drag him down. Each day he continues to beat the odds he was given when he was first diagnosed. A clinical trial drug has been a gift to extend his life. He lives each day to its fullest. He always has a smile and friendly word to share. Recently, I was very upset when a salesman made derogatory remarks about this neighbor assuming that he was some kind of low life vagabond. The salesman saw a man a little rough around the edges and judged him by sight alone. He had no idea what this man faces each day and the journey that has brought him to this place in his life. The salesman wanted to neatly define the man by categorizing him by sight alone.

Coming to know God, is a lot like coming to know the people around us. We have to abide in faith trusting that God has created all people and things with a purpose for us to learn more about the truth of why WE exist. Each person that enters our lives has a story to tell. Whether they are homeless or a CEO, they have been on a journey to get to this moment in time. The Bible verse above reminds us that God is our foundation from which we should stand to see. As we learn to see through His eyes we come closer to understanding truth. It's a lifelong process. It's so much easier to see through our own eyes, but judgement diminishes as we stand firmly on God's foundation of truth. We come to know God more intimately as we experience living life through His eyes. The added gift is that we come to know others in ways that God knows them as well. Our own purpose in life becomes more evident in this process because our hearts and minds will be led to see the true needs and value of others. We aren't randomly chosen by God without purpose; God has chosen each of us to fulfill a purpose in His world. 

So, today as we venture out into the world, remember to take off the sunglasses, and see with the Sonshine. Often times there is so much more to see when you look through the eyes of our loving God.  

Visionary Father,

When You created this intricate and beautiful world we call home, You had a vision of peace and harmony. Help us to stand firmly on the foundation of faith and truth You have created that will allow us to see through Your eyes, hear from Your ears, and feel from Your heart. Grant us the gift of learning truth that can only be taught by You.

Amen