Eyes of Faith
Our family is exploring the virtue of FAITH this month. Spurred on by the children’s ministry team at church who leads the charge on Sundays, we have begun to examine this not-so-simple concept throughout the week as well. The Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. The definition seems rather simplistic, but its application is not. If I am going to build my life on the foundation of faith, then I need eyes that see through a new lens. This morning as my school goers munched on breakfast, I read them this fantastic account of seeing with the eyes of faith:
“One night the kind of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When the servant of the man [Elisha] of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, and horses, and chariots everywhere.
“Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” -2 Kings 6:14-17
While the kids enjoyed a quick “wow!” and hopped on the bus, I haven’t been able to shake the questions that are running through my mind as the LIVING WORD takes up residence in my heart. The Bible account continues to tell of what happened next- Elisha prayed the soldiers blind and led them away from the city- but the naturally nosy female in me is wondering what happened to the young servant.When his glimpse of the holy army was over, did he merely go back to shaking in his boots or did he suddenly walk with confidence knowing that God had his back? And then I’ve got to ponder the personal: What if I could “see” like Elisha’s servant did? What if, just for a moment, God pulled back the curtain on the spiritual realm and I got one glimpse of His mighty presence? What if I spotted His angels encamped in my yard? What if I saw His son holding the hand of my child as she hopped on the bus and headed for school? How would I change? How would my parenting change? And -perhaps most convicting of all is the question-WHAT IF, even though I cannot see those mysterious and marvelous things of which the Bible speaks, I chose to LIVE AS IF I COULD. Wouldn’t that truly be living with the eyes of faith?
Gary Thomas writes in his book Devotions for Sacred Parenting, “The motto for every family should be: God is in the room. Because He is!” Gary asks what our homes might look like if we lived according to the belief that God is in the room. As I’ve pondered this poignant question, I’ve realized that the key to seeing through eyes of faith begins with recognizing God’s presence whether I “feel it” or not. When I glance back at the text I read to the kids, I realize that Elisha’s servant most likely did not FEEL God’s awesome presence when he first stepped outside and looked to the hills. While the young man was totally surrounded by Heaven’s army, his anxious response suggests that he did not “feel” God’s presence. Seeing only the enemy, the young man felt threatened and believed he was unprotected. Then his eyes showed him differently! And one glimpse of the supernatural warriors in his midst quickly moved his heart into “feeling God” mode! Once his eyes had seen the evidence, the servant indeed believed that God was near. While God may never grant me eyes that see Him on this side of heaven, He longs to give me a faith that believes Him regardless of what I can see and despite of what I feel.
And so I wonder how my life would change if I chose BY FAITH to “see” God in the room at all times? How would I respond to my edgy fifth-grader if before I opened my mouth, through the eyes of faith, I “saw” my Savior leaning over my child’s shoulder? What would I say to my husband when he walked through the door after another long night of working well past suppertime if I recognized with my eyes of faith that his Heavenly Father had just entered the room as well? How would I treat my toddler who had just painted with toothpaste all over the freshly cleaned carpets if I noticed the Lover of my son’s little soul was smiling over the budding artist in my family?
I’ve got plenty of musings, but fewer answers. However, I do know this for certain, “God doesn’t see as man sees…” (I Samuel 16:7) and so, if I want to become a woman of faith, perhaps I could begin with this simple prayer: Open the eyes of my heart (Ephesians 1:18).
Today’s Treasure: “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
