July 16 - God's eyes
Scripture focus: I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3
Anonymity is a double-edged sword. In our recovery meetings, we value anonymity. We don't tell tales out of group. This frees us to vomit up our secret sins and shaming ways and get it out on the table for discussion. This kind of confession often provides relief and advice from those who may not know our name, but they certainly can relate to our experiences. This is different than the feeling of being invisible, where everything we think, do and say is without consequence or accountability. Have you noticed how anonymity can be a bad thing? We say things in e-mail, go to places on the internet, and perhaps even go to Vegas or other anonymous-feeling places and behave in ways we'd never dare act around people who know us well.
When I read Isaiah 45, I'm always a little taken aback.
God knows and calls me by name. I'm not part of the masses of humanity, I am his kid.
During our youngest son's college orientation experience this summer, we were often separated into different groups -- parent from child -- off to their own sessions for advice and information. I noticed that my husband, Pete, never stood up when any other kid walked into the room. Other boys of similar size, shape, coloring, and interests would walk into the assembly hall and Pete never gave them a second glance. But when our son entered, he stood and waved until Michael gave a nod of recognition and moved to join us. Michael also didn't choose other parental units while there. He didn't decide that another set of parents looked more appealing, less dorky, more cool.
God is like that with us. When we forget it, we sometimes grow careless of the relationship, forgetting that in the eyes of God, we are never anonymous/invisible/hidden from his sight. The world may be a big and sometimes isolating place and we may have only a postage stamp size deed of property -- but as kids of the king, we are known no matter where we go.
Would it change how we lived if we made the decision to remain conscious of God's watchful, loving, attentive eyes, following our progress -- moment by moment?
Recommended reading: Galatians 4-6
1 comment:
Would it change how we lived if we made the decision to remain conscious of God's watchful, loving, attentive eyes, following our progress -- moment by moment? yes, yes, yes. that is the very and only reason i can be a work in progress. he not only looks at me through his own eyes, he looks at me through the eyes of others in the north star hut. even when i am hurting, i am now sure that i am constantly every second in his hands. according to jeremiah [31:28] he plucks up and overthrows, so that he may build and plant. the wildflowers and weeds must go so that he may plant corn and snow peas in our life.
Post a Comment