Worship is intrinsically connected to sight. The writer to the Hebrews said, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Those who first read these words knew that Jesus had long since ascended to the Father. So, what did the writer to the Hebrews mean?
I have noticed that there are some people who have two sets of eye glasses. One set is for looking at things at a distance and the other set is for reading purposes. To use distance glasses to read does not work, and the same can be said of reading glasses when trying to look down a road.
We have a similar situation when it comes to seeing Jesus. We cannot see him with temporal glasses. We must see him with our spirit’s eyes. That is called faith.
Recently I was asked questions that could not be easily answered. As a Pastor, it is a difficult problem when you cannot offer an answer to a genuine query. Nevertheless, I suggested that we need to change the eye glasses. Let me explain. Trying to understand the infinite and eternal God through the lenses of this life can distort who he is. There is no one like Him – no prototype, no comparison.
Sadly, many do not commit their lives to God simply because they cannot see him with their physical eyes. But that is like trying to see him with the wrong lenses. Our worship transcends this immediate and temporary life. On the other hand, we can worship God no matter what is going on in our lives for the very reason that he is beyond this life. Job knew this (Job 1:20). David knew this also (2 Samuel 12:20). When tragedy struck them in the most horrific ways, they worshipped God. I submit that they were wearing the correct spiritual eye glasses in those moments.
How can some people continue to worship God through the trials and pains of life while others choose to turn their back on the creator and worship themselves? It all comes down to clear vision. Troubles surround us and they test how we see God. Do we see him as our loving Father, our friend, our comfort, our help, and our hope? Some may argue that faith is foolhardy, but not if you want to see things as they really are. You will never go wrong when you worship in spite of your circumstances. In fact, you will be able to face trouble with the benefit of peace because your trust is in the one who will not disappoint you.
The apostle John wrote, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are” (1 John 3:1). He goes on to teach that, even though we see God’s love, we still do not see what our future will look like. His point is that we can be optimistic simply because of what we have already come to understand about God.
Another man who could see things well is the apostle Paul. Even though he experienced many trials, including numerous beatings, he was able to say, “We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The reality of who God is does not change when we hurt. He is the same. He has always been, and will forever be, good, great, and loving. So, when life hits you between the eyes, worship God in faith, and watch everything else fall into proper focus. We appreciate your Comments