Do You SEE What I SEE?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

When I was new to my grief, I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. Death and its finality seemed more than I could handle. The pain was unbearable and the gaping hole in my heart left me feeling vulnerable and scared.

All I could see was all I had lost.

And yet, somewhere deep down I knew, I had to shift my focus from the things of earth to the promise and hope of Jesus. I needed a clearer vision of eternal things.

 You have said, "Seek my face."
My heart says to you,
"Your face, Lord, do I seek."
Psalm 27 

Consider with me what can happen when we look FULL in His wonderful face – When we trade in our earthly lenses for eternal lenses – When we surrender and have a posture of repentance – When we realize it’s not about us, but ALL about Jesus

Now –

We are positioned to experience the miracle of his presence.

And it’s in his presence we can begin to see more clearly that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither our ways his ways (Is. 55:8-9) It’s in his presence that we are given new strength and a special grace to look up and out to see the things we will otherwise miss.

I remember a couple years ago I decided to visit the cemetery. On this particular day, the weather was perfect and the sun was beginning to set. I knelt down on the grass with my head bowed. I don’t remember exactly, it’s possible I played a song from my phone or just sat quietly. My heart was heavy and the reality seemed especially harsh. But as I stood to leave, I looked up and could see through the trees what seemed to be a beautiful sunset. However, the trees were blocking my view. I walked quickly to my car as I didn’t want to miss it.

Driving away I smiled as I saw so clearly this visual picture God had given me as a reminder to set my gaze toward heaven. And to be mindful of the distractions that could block my “view”. I was reminded that although there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with grieving and missing Warren-(NOTHING-He is worth every tear I cry), it’s on the other side of those trees where I want to fix my eyes. Choosing to SEE beyond the bitter tears and weight of sorrow.

"Take the whole world
Give me Jesus 
Let all else fade away" 
(Fade Away) Click to listen

So today, can we just encourage one another, no matter the “hard” we are facing, to trust and SEE that Jesus is better. And praise him with our lips for as long as we live. (Psalm 63:3-4)

He shall return in robes of white
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face
– O Praise the Name (click to listen)

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12