Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Thursday, 12 August 2021 05:53

The Difference Between Looking and Really Seeing!
by Terry Broome

Have you ever found yourself staring at an object for a long time only to draw a blank when someone asks you what you’re looking at? Sometimes we look but fail to really see. There must be some spiritual application to this concept. Jesus used it in reference to those who are outside of relationship with Him. “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them” (Mark 4:12; also see Matt 13:14-15). Certainly, in regard to the Gospel there are many who look directly at God’s Truths and fail to see the implications thereof.
There’s another area of our lives where we need to develop the ability to genuinely see what is around us. That’s in the spiritual realm – the vision of faith – spiritual vision – the kind of vision that Abraham and Sarah had when they were old and past the time of having children. In Genesis 17 and 18:12, Sarah at first laughed at God’s promise of a child, seeing only an old and decrepit body. God saw past that moment to the great potential that faith could create in these two who have stood at the top of a long list of those who by faith conquered insurmountable odds. Romans chapter 4, verses 18 through 25 tell us that they “in hope believed against hope.” Even when there was no apparent reason to hope for such a thing as a child in the flesh, they still believed God was able to make it happen. What spiritual vision!!

We must be individuals of faith in God’s power and God’s promises. He “is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). God will supply. Our task is to trust Him. In all of life, whatever it serves, let us never waver in our faith that God will supply!

Jesus saw in some pretty raw recruits the potential and capacity to be useful servants in His work. The disciples could, with His molding, become fishers of men. So can we! When we look at someone who appears to have nothing to offer, may we choose rather to see him as the Lord would, as one worth dying for, and one who has the ability to become a son of God. It works two ways. Not only should we see that “worthwhileness” in others, but in ourselves as well. Jesus died for “me.” Jesus believes in “my” intrinsic worthwhileness, not on the merits of “my” righteousness for I have none of myself; but His vision of us all is that we were worth His dying for. May we cultivate His ability to do more than merely look at, but also to really see and perceive.

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.