Many of
us ask how to hear God better, but maybe it’s more basic to first learn how to
see.
The
Bible gives us a comprehensive picture of God.
We get a
wide-angle view of God and His ongoing interactions with mankind by reading the
Bible cover to cover, preferably in more than one translation.
For an
up close and personal relationship, we zoom in by becoming acquainted with Old
Testament worshipers and by reading the Gospels and seeing how God clearly shows
Himself in the character, wisdom, healing acts, forgiveness, and love of His
Son Jesus.
Creation
reveals the power and majesty of God.
The
universe invites us into the unknown and helps us to see and acknowledge the ongoing
mystery of God.
The
earth displays the colorful variety and creative beauty of our Creator. As we exercise
our own creativity in the light of God’s image, we see tiny details, enormous
diversity, and infinite possibilities.
Personal,
local, and world events help us to see our need for God.
As we
become aware of a problem, large or small, we might see something specific to
pray about, trusting God has a purpose for whatever He allows.
Godly
friends and family help us to see God.
In both
the Old Testament and the New, God calls us into community through family,
friends, and fellow worshipers, each of whom has a unique way of seeing God’s
hand in their lives and ours. These perspectives help us to expand our own view
of our loving God.
Confession
removes blinders so we can better see.
Bible
Gateway provides many translations of a key-to-seeing verse in Matthew 7:5.
As you look through a few of these, notice the repetitive phrase involving
seeing:
“…first
get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take
the speck out of your brother’s eye,” Amplified (AMP.)
“First
take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the
splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye,” Common English Bible
(CEB.)
“…first
cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly
to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye,” King James Version
(KJV.)
“…remove
the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove
the splinter from your brother’s eye,” New American Bible, Revised
Edition (NABRE.)
“…first
take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to
remove the speck from your brother’s eye,” New International Version
(NIV.)
Confessing
our mistakes allows us to see clearly again, which brings discernment and a faultless
view of God.
With
clear, discerning vision, we can see and perceive God in circumstances, other people,
and ourselves.
Then we
can recognize the light in and around us.
Then we’ll
be apt to look for good.
Then we
can see and be love as God sees us into His Kingdom.
©2021,
Mary Sayler, poet-writer, lifelong student of the Bible
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