Perception. We gain knowledge of God, others and the world around us through interacting with God, others and the world around us. Our senses reveal our world through touch, smell, taste, hearing and God through spirit/soul/heart and His creation. As we build a repository of this knowledge that our senses have revealed to us, we then bring those preconceived ideas, that knowledge gained from previous experience to our current circumstances and interactions. Without this ability we would lose the capacity to function. This is a good thing unless we lose the ability to continue to learn, grow, refine and redefine what we know, perceive, about God, people and the world around us.
When we look, what do we see going on around us? Do we only look through a lens colored by previous experiences and what others are telling us or do we see what is truly happening and strive to understand and build our knowledge? Let’s take a small detour and note that knowledge is not just facts rolling around in our heads. Knowledge encompasses all there is, all that we learn and perceive through our senses and spirit/soul/heart. Keeping that in mind let us proceed.
We are always to be growing in knowledge and understanding. God is building us up into the persons He created us to be, from glory to glory, to be His image bearers and ambassadors. Just as a child believes 2+2=4 is math and that they now know math is true, but it is not the full truth regarding knowledge of math. This concept is played out in all aspects of our lives. If our father was abusive, we believe fathers abuse their children. Our knowledge set of one does not reflect the conduct of all fathers. But it does color how we perceive fathers and those who hold real and perceived power over us. Power is something that is both granted and bestowed but that is a topic for another day. If our perceptions are not tempered with a fullness of knowledge, a data set of all fathers, grace and mercy we will act out of our own self-centered character when we are called to act out of God’s character. This is beyond our human nature. But what is impossible with mankind is possible with God.
God will continue to mold and shape us until the likeness of Jesus is formed in us. When our perceptions and preconceived ideas are not our own but the Lord’s. This can not be done by the will of man. It is God’s work in us if we invite Him in and learn from Him for His yoke is light. Our yoke becomes light because He bears the burden. We are to see through the eyes of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth.
My older brother showed up on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago. God used this unannounced visit to demonstrate to me more deeply the concept of looking versus seeing. My older brother is a homeless vet with many issues. I have a spare bedroom which I offered to him as long as he wanted or needed it. He thanked me and said that he would only visit. He was fed all he wanted to eat and his clothes washed and dried. Each of the bedrooms in the house have their own bathroom and television so in essence he was provided with a hotel room with amenities. Our relationship is colored by our childhood which was mired by abuse perpetrated primarily by our father. I say primarily because our mother allowed it to happen and then when our father left this brother became the abuser.
When we look, what do we see? Do we see the brother who beat and raped us, or do we see the brother who is made in God’s image who was himself beaten, berated and taught to demean anything female – a broken brother who needs healing and restoration? We are all a mixture of good and bad. We all stand or fall before God alone. We only stand before God in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. Even the best we bring are as filthy rags, but God takes our soiled and tattered garments and gives us a robe of righteousness. Not because of who we are in ourselves but because of who He is and who He made us to be. The righteousness of the Lord Jesus is conveyed to us by God because of the Lord’s obedience and sacrifice. We all need forgiveness, grace and mercy. As we give it is given to us. This gift may be forgiveness, food, shelter, money, care, understanding, praise, love – any and everything. We cannot earn by giving but by giving we become open to receiving. It is not a transaction but a transformation.
We need eyes to see and hearts to understand. This is the house built upon the rock. This is not the wide easy path, but it is the good narrow path that leads to God’s Kingdom, His loving embrace and His throne.
How do we do this? How do we quiet the screaming voices in the world that condemn anyone who has harmed them, who does not look like they do, does not believe what they do, does not speak like they speak? We must pray continuously for knowledge, insight, grace and mercy. We must seek God with our whole heart. We must take up the cross daily and crucify the flesh. When the way becomes hard, we run to God. When the way is easy, we walk with God. When we fall, get back up, repent and seek God’s presence. Is it easy? No. Will others mock and ridicule? Probably. Is it glorious? Most definitely.
For now we see in part. One day we will see and know fully. Until then we are on a journey with God as He develops His character within us, Christ likeness.
Let us remain steadfast and not become weary. Trust in God. He is our only hope. We stand only by His bestowed grace and mercy.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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