OBSCURED VISION

A little over a week ago, I walked into my study to an unusual sight. Usually, I can see out of the big picture window that overlooks the fields to the north of the church. However, on this day, the view was obscured. At first, I blinked a few times and wondered if something was wrong with my eyes. But, then, after a second or two, I put two and two together and figured out that the paint crew had put plastic over the window to keep the paint off. Instead of the usual beautiful landscape, all I saw was a cloudy piece of plastic drop cloth. I knew what was on the other side, and could picture it in my mind, but not being able to see it was an odd, and disappointing feeling.

I wonder if Paul felt the same way when, guided by the Spirit, he penned the words of 1 Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)

“In an mirror dimly” sounds kind of like my obstructed view that day. I think we Christians all long to see Christ face to face. We’ve probably pictured Him in our minds a thousand times. Yet, that picture is terribly clouded. Through our Bible study, we do know Him in part, but we long to know Him fully, and to see His face.

That sense of longing is both healthy and hopeful. It helps us to “Set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col 3:2 ESV) It also helps us picture what we have to look forward to, even if our current view is obscured.

So, today, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Paul (above) and also on 1 John 3:2 (below), and consider our hope.

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1John 3:2 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker