My guide "word" for 2016 has been "See"....as in to pray for God to open my eyes in order to "see" Him more clearly. I'm a little late for a mid-year review, but was compelled to take an inventory as to how I am doing with this goal of mine.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)
The night I gave my life to Christ and invited Him in to be the Lord of my life, I was lying, by myself, in the the dark, on a grassy plateau in the middle of the mountains of western Pennsylvania. The campfire had just broken up at the Christian camp I was attending as a thirteen year old.
I remember lying there, on my back, in the quiet, gazing up at a star-filled sky. Thousands of tiny lights blanketed me and I remember thinking to myself, "Who am I, Lord, that you are mindful of me." You've created the masterpiece of the heavens, yet you are concerned about what goes on in my little old life.
In seeing each and every one of those stars among the thousands and knowing that God called each one by name, I knew that He cared enough to call my name. He is "El Roi" - the God who sees me.
If God could see and care about me so deeply, then I needed to take the time to see HIM more clearly.
I've been blessed by having the opportunity to go to the island of Kawaii. There, beside a steep rock outcropping that rocketed toward the sky, was a beautiful semi circular cay surrounded by stones and sand that touched waters so clear and so jewel-like that I'm not even going to begin to describe the color.
Fins on and mask and snorkel in place, I swam out near the coral reef and the large volcanic stone remnants. Once I put my head under water, I heard nothing but silence and the sound of my own breathing. It was as if someone had just flipped off the switch to the outside world and I was in this visual fantasy land.
The myriads of fish in all different sizes and shapes swam around me. They didn't seem too bothered by my presence. The sun was shining and since the water was so clear, their hues of yellow, blue, purple, and rainbow appeared neon-like and radiant when the sun hit them just right.
Then, I saw them, there among the small fish were large see turtles swimming ever so gracefully by. So close, they were, that I could look them in the eye. I've never seen anything quite like it and these memories of being one with the creatures of the sea has stayed with me. How blessed I was for this encounter.
The sea (is) vast and spacious, teaming with creatures beyond number. (Psalm 104:25)
In his hands are the depth of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. (Psalm 95:4-5)
To say that God's creation speaks to me is an understatement. But, what if we don't have star-filled nights and crystal clear teal lagoons to swim in?
God is teaching my eyes to see, even in the commonplace of the everyday. Each morning I go out to water my plants. We are in the dog days of summer so the first thing I notice (even this early) is the hum of the cicadas. I stop and take note of the sunrise. As the sun pops it's sleepy head up over the trees in my back yard, I am never quite certain what I'm going to see?
Rays of sunshine playing hide and seek behind fluffy and whispy clouds? Or, hues of pink and orange that make the sky come ablaze? I see droplets of dew on the still cool blades of grass. The gloriousness of the sky is reflected in these tiny droplets.
As I water each plant I take note of the scarlet million bells that look like tiny trumpets. I spy the tight rosebuds that are waiting to open and break forth into an array of spectacular colors. The sunny black-eyed susans smile at me as do the gerbera daisy petals that resemble a lion's mane.
The tiny dianthus with their frilly laced edges frame a flower that grows deep in purple ribbons as your eye travels toward its center. The hydrangeas are dry now...as are the peonies. Their seasons have passed, but the autumn joy sedum is ready to pop with color for the fall.
As I stand still, a gloriously yellow finch lights on the bird feeder. He and his friends are skittish fellows so I stand very still and just marvel at how brilliant their feathers are. As if everyone got the memo, but me, to wear yellow...two yellow monarchs come flitting by and lightly touch down on several of the flowers.
All this pageantry just in my back yard...how could I have missed it before? How could watering the plants have just been one more thing to check off my to do list?
Here are a few things that God has been teaching me about truly seeing Him and His creation:
1. Slow down...whether its watering the plants in the back yard or taking a walk around a lake, I need to slow down so that I can take it all in. My walks these days are much different that they used to be. Instead of "git r done" being my motto, I stop to pet the dog smiling up at me. I pause to watch the mother duck with her ducklings in tow. I make sure to gaze around me and be still and present in the moment. This exact moment will never happen again.
2. Limit distractions...I rarely take my phone with me on walks. It's hard for me to be present with God and His creation when my phone is pinging and ringing and beeping. I don't turn on the TV during the day. I find that either silence or praise music ushers me more easily into God's presence. I try to limit my time on my laptop. Even though I'm a great multi-tasker, I can't see God's word in my Bible if my eyes are looking at my computer screen. This takes discipline.
3. Look and Listen...Look with the expectation of seeing something. Look and explore with a child's curiosity. So many times I'm in such a hurry to get from point A to point B that I don't go looking for what treasures God has for me. The same with listening....I, personally, have to turn off the white noise. God doesn't shout - He whispers and so I need to incline my ear to listen for His still small voice. Look into peoples' eyes and not past them. What might their eyes be telling me about how I can be Jesus' hands and feet to them today?
4. Ask for an increased ability to See....When I think of what my prayer can be, I think of the words to a song that go: "Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see You. I want to see You." I continually ask God to open my eyes to His gloriousness. You know what? He's never disappointed me. He simply says, "Bev, I've been waiting here all along just waiting for you to ask."
5. Thank Him...Thank Him continually for what He reveals to you. I find that when I express gratitude to God for what He's shown me, my heart is opened up in a way that is ready to see so much more that He has in store for me.
So, to sum it up....I'd say I'm doing better at seeing...or actually God is enabling me to use my eyes and ears more efficiently. God is faithful to answer our prayers in an affirmative manner when they are in accordance with His will. God didn't give me mountains, and seas, and animals, and people to just pass them by, distracted.
No, He gave me/you all this because He loves us. He loves you! In what ways is God calling you to "see" Him more clearly? To "see" others more clearly? To see yourself?
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your glorious creation and all the works of your hands that are for my good pleasure. Help me to slow down that I might truly see more of you, more of others, and even more about myself. I am asking you Lord to open the eyes of my heart. Remove the veil that is over me. Help me not to walk at the pace the world does - which would have me hurrying by what you want me to see. Give me strength and discipline to set aside that which distracts me from being present with you. Give me a heart of gratitude, Lord, for ALL that you have done for me. Let me live in the light of your glorious love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
ps. 29 Students could still benefit from your compassion to bring them just ONE gift for Christmas.
We need to collect donations now to make the Joy of Christmas a reality in December.
$25. can bring joy to one child this year...will you help us?
or mail check to:
RCF, Inc.
103 Silver Lining Lane
Cary, NC 27513
**We are a registered 501c3 non-profit ministry
** Tax statements will be provided year end
RCF, Inc.
103 Silver Lining Lane
Cary, NC 27513
**We are a registered 501c3 non-profit ministry
** Tax statements will be provided year end
