When We Start to Really See

Hello again.  Before I go on with today’s Inspirational/Faith post, I just wanted to give a heads up that our family is going on vacation for the next couple of weeks!  To say I am VERY excited to get out of the vast dark arctic island where we are shaken awake by 7.1 earthquakes would be an understatement.  I always find it shocking to see the sun rise before 6:30 am in the winter, and see that fruit really does grow on trees (it doesn’t just appear in the grocery store), and you don’t have to bundle up and warm up the car before you head out the door.  Even a cool San Diego day is comparable to our average summer, so I am excited!  That being said, I am preparing to have one post a week go out while I am gone. However, that is subject to no human error and other glitches. So if things keep running smoothly, great.  If not, I’ll be back in two weeks and we can pick up where we left off.  Sound good?  I hope to be mostly unplugged while we’re there and just have some quality family time!

This past weekend I had the privilege of being able to speak about one of my main passions, encountering God in the Word.  I wrote this post months ago and it was incorporated into what I shared.  I hope it awakens your heart further to really see…

I look over and see a boy’s face unsuccessfully masking an emotion, straining to breathe. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“It’s okay Mom,” he assures me as he bursts into uncontrollable sobs, “I’m just happy crying.”

An unconventional family devotion leads us to this place. We turn on the tv and watch a story of Jesus’ love poured out as he gave up his life on a cross.  Images of Jesus’ body red-bloodied, and beaten are a stark contrast to black and white words on a page.

He continues to sob, reassuring us he is happy crying. And you can see it written on his face. Peace. An untamable gratefulness. He basks in the new found reality. The boy with eyes baptized in tears starts to really see. No longer a story long ago, but a reality of a Savior who spilled out love for anyone who would believe.

Two followers of Jesus walked on a road, discussing an event that defied the very laws of nature.   Trying to make sense of Jesus’ death and resurrection, these two were encountered on the road by the very one they were discussing, and yet, “they were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:16). When Jesus asked what they were talking about, befuddled words tumbled out of their finite mouths. In a great attempt at brief summarization of Jesus’ profound ministry, death by crucifixion, and astounding resurrection, the couple’s words ended in perplexity.

Jesus replied with words profound and stunning, “’How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

The greatest commentary on Jesus in the Old Testament was given on a dusty road that day. The layers peeled back revealing what the Scriptures were really saying from Genesis to Malachi. The prophets searched endlessly to understand the mysteries, but the truth the world depended on was unveiled, walking in sandals to a village called Emmaus. The two companions still blind to the One whose words burned into them.

Then dinner time came. “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Luke24:30-31).

There eyes were opened and they started to really see. Really seeing, revelation, it changes everything. And the greatest revelation always points to back to Jesus. The greatest truth in the world can stand before us, but until our eyes are unveiled to see, we will never understand how we are loved and how to live.

The words in Scripture can echo cold on the floor, familiar phrases become rote and unchanging. But, the Commentary that walked in sandals is available every day. Revelation to see beyond black and white letters, that become living, breathing life to the reader because of the veil that was torn.  The words revealed bring grace upon grace, every moment for everyday.

The veil torn casts light on truth hidden in layers. Black and white words turn to living blood red, and a love that undoes a soul to the very core. When revelation overcomes us, it changes everything. And happy tears manage to usurp rote words into a new life reality.

When we start to really see, we are not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation.  When we start to really see, we are loved and we love.  When we start to really see, we live to change the world.  When we start to really see, we are give strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.  Because every time He speaks, he bestows new life.

Thank you for stopping by.  May you live by new words that give life today.

Blessings,

Cheryl