Seeking Sight

This afternoon, I was sitting outside and pondering God’s lovely summer creations (my fancy way of saying Maddie was taking a break from writing to eat a snack and get some sun) when a tiny, spirited bird soared across my yard.

Now, I wouldn’t be able to tell you what kind of songbird it was, nor even the colors—it was that fast—but I do know that it was making a ruckus while hopping around in our bushes.

And it got me thinking: although I couldn’t see it, I knew it was there. Heard it’s boisterous

call, saw the way the branches and leaves moved in response to its weight, even thought I detected a far-off bird twittering its reply.

How often is this the case with God and His workings in our lives?

Just because we don’t see Him—hear His guiding voice, feel His peace, fathom how something bad can become good—doesn’t mean He’s not there. And I bet that, if we looked hard enough, we’d find evidence of Him.

The Bible says that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him, but speaking for myself, I don’t seek very much (Jer 29:13). It’s so easy to just go your own way, do your own thing, focus on the tasks at hand instead of considering the eternity He’s destined for us.

But what if we did more seeking and less stressing? Rather than distracting ourselves with doom-scrolling and Netflix and food and parties and drugs and whatever else we use to fill our free time… we could slow down.

Sit in God’s creation.

Study His Word.

Set aside the distractions and let His still, small voice fill the silence (1Kings 19:11-13)

Ponder and praise and realize that He is close, always close.

He’s in the air and trees and flowers and birds.

He’s the breath in our lungs and the beat of our hearts.

An answered prayer.

Potent word.

Friendly smile.

Wise counsel.

Love.

Joy.

Peace.

Patience.

Kindness.

Goodness.

Faithfulness.

Gentleness.

Self-control.

(See how I forced you to slow down to read all that? You’re welcome. And yes, those are the fruits of the Spirit!) 

Even if we cannot see Him clearly or instantly, He is as real as the bird that flew past me today. As brilliant as some lovely lilac blooms. As constant and dependable as the sun and moon.

He is there, friends. Underneath the pain, confusion, trials, and triumphs…

He is there. Always there.

We just have to look for Him.