Seeing Isn’t Always Believing
In our world today, there are those who subscribe to the point of view that (only) seeing is believing. However, for a Christian believer (and doer), it’s the opposite; believing is seeing—especially when It comes to believing in God, our Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ, our Savior. While we do not “see” them physically, we are “believing” that they are still there, even when we may not be blessed as immediately or accordingly to our “seeing,” or our understanding and timetables (Isaiah 55:8).
We don’t wait to see God before we love Him. We don’t wait to see the reward before we serve the Lord. It is our faith that fuels our fortitude as we press forward.
One Peace At A Time
Nevertheless, no matter our current desires, devotions and destinations, we strive to trust God’s timing, vision and provision for our lives. We believe that He not only sees the “big picture” but has access to and knows where all the individual pieces need to go that will bring us the most peace in our lives. Thus, we strive to trust Him to help us to also see those pieces (Jeremiah 29:11) and to place them appropriately when and where they need to be in our lives (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). This increases our belief, trust and our ability to see not only more clearly, but to see (and be) more like our Father in Heaven.
God not only knows every piece and where it goes, but He has the power (mercy and grace) to help every piece find its place in this world for peace.
God Sees Each Sailor Through the Storm
Yet, there are times in our lives when, no matter how spiritually fortifying our backgrounds, our believing can become blinded by the storms and floods of life—both in our own lives and when we witness the distraction and destruction in other people’s lives. This can distract us and even cause us to take our own eyes off the Lighthouse (Jesus) and lose sight of the sure shore. Perhaps even now you or someone you know are sinking in sin, being dragged beneath and drowned under the merciless waves of wickedness. It is during these dark times that we must not only believe God is still there, but to also learn to see the eternal worth in ourselves (and others) through His eyes…even and especially through His heart.
God is not only aware of every storm, He is aware of every sailor enduring it. He will help guide that sailor back to the sure shore through His Lighthouse, Jesus Christ.
Misguiding Mistakes
Why does it matter in our darkest hours how God sees us? Because if we relied only on our own vision, we should surely despair and drown. Because when we’re surrounded and drowning in despair and sin, it can be easy for our vision (or lack thereof) to be deceived into believing that because we are sinking in sin, that we’re not worth rescuing. When we are lost in the storm, it seems all we can see are all the mistakes we’ve made (quantity and severity) and believe that it is better to be disowned and drowned then discovered and recovered (rescued) only to face Father’s wrath. Are you sure that’s all you’ll face? Who told you that’s all?
There seems to be so many verses about God’s wrath and disappointment in mankind. Don’t let His wrath blind you to your worth! He still loves you and will forgive you.
The Highest Degree of Mercy
True, He cannot tolerate the least degree of sin and true repentance must be both expressed and experienced. However, those who are burdened by sin(s) can and will find rest and redemption through forgiveness (Matthew 11:28-30). Even before those merciful words were uttered by our Sovereign Savior, “Here am I, send me,” our rescue, forgiveness and salvation were already woven into the tapestry of mortality and an unchanging part of God’s merciful plan (Ephesians 1:3-14)!
The Atonement of Jesus Christ in all its majesty, mystery and mercy makes our rescue and redemption not only possible, but imperative (John 3:16-17).
If you are lost in the storms of life, don’t believe for a moment that God has given up on your rescue and redemption! He can help guide you through the maelstrom, repair your sails and fill them (and your heart) with the winds of His tender mercies for your mistakes. As you choose to keep Him closer and closer, He will not forsake you in the dark or the deep.