While recently traveling in San Francisco, we were able to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. During our first visit, which was in the morning, the fog was so heavy that it was difficult to view the Bridge in its entirety (refer to the photo on the left). Regardless of how hard we looked at it or how closely we approached the bridge, its height and span were just not visible to us. From what we could tell, it had the bottom of any other bridge found anywhere in the world.
As a result, we decided to return in the afternoon when it was sunny and clear (refer to the photo on the right). Suddenly, we were able to view the Golden Gate Bridge’s two towers standing at 746 feet tall and its span of 8,981 feet! What a sight to see this bright suspension bridge in all of its beauty and splendor!
Same object. At first, we could not see it. Then, we could.
I have a chapter or two in my story where I didn’t see things as they were. Whether it was because of fear or anger, my sight had become blinded to the truth. Those literally became the darkest days of my life until … the moment I submitted to the prompts from the Lord and worked up the courage to ask Him to see what He wanted me to see. Just like blinders being removed from a horse’s eyes, suddenly I was able to view a person or situation as God saw them. To see through His perspective has radically changed my outlook and I am so grateful!
In Acts 8:3 and 9:1 (AMP), we read that “Saul began ravaging the church [and assaulting believers]; entering house after house and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison” “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”. Sadly, he viewed believers through a lens of hate.
Acts 9 explains in detail how he had an encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus and three days later, he was converted to Paul.
“And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!’” (Acts 9:20 AMP) Paul “welcomed all who came to him, preaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness and boldness, unhindered and unrestrained.” (Acts 28:30-31 AMP) Wow, what a different lens he was able to view through!
The beloved hymn Amazing Grace says it best:
“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Dear Friend, “[I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),” (Ephesians 1:18 AMP)
~Joyce
