I don’t see what you see

Note:  This has been the most popular post ever.  It has at least 10 times more views than any other post.  I am curious how you got here and why.  Leave a comment if you are so compelled.  Also check out more recent posts here.

Dan Mohler has this amazing testimony about his wife and son.  His wife had been in a horrific car accident.  She was taken to the hospital and Dan received a phone call at work.  They told him his wife was in an accident and was in critical condition and in a coma.  He didn’t ask for details.  Actually he told the doctor he didn’t care about the details.  He didn’t panic.  He didn’t spin up the call-tree for prayers.  He went home, picked up his son and went to the hospital to see his wife.  When he got there he didn’t break down or cry out in despair.  He didn’t talk to the doctors and nurses to determine her prognosis.  He just went into her room with his 14-year-old son.  He went up to the bed, held her hand and leaned over to his wife and said “it is time to wake up.”  He didn’t beg God for a miracle.  He thanked Him for Jesus.  He then left the room.

When he got into the hall his son turned to him and exploded.  He began sobbing and yelling.  He was beside himself with grief and anger.  He looked at his dad and said “I don’t see what you see.”  Here was his mom on the bed all messed up.  Her eyes were swollen shut.  She had tubes coming out of her.  She was on a breathing machine and attached to all kinds of other machines.  She was unresponsive.  To him this was a desperate situation.  For Dan’s son he saw hopelessness.  Dan saw Jesus.  He didn’t see despair.  He didn’t see hopelessness.  He saw hope.  He saw Jesus.

For the longest time I didn’t understand that testimony.  It impacted me but I didn’t know why.  Now I know.

Lately I have found some (and there are likely many more) that are “offended” by my faith.  When someone says “this or that bad thing is going to happen or not improve” I respond by saying “we just need more Jesus.”  What they hear from me, my confidence in God, my hope, it actually offends them.  I think it is because they can’t see what I see.  Since they don’t see maybe they think I am accusing them of “not being saved” or they think I don’t care about their situation.  The truth is I do care about them.  I really don’t care about their situation.  Since when did their situation change who Jesus is?  Their relationship with God has no bearing on my faith.  I assume they are born again and know Jesus but if they aren’t my faith is still the same.  My reaction to their situation is the same.  I believe in Jesus.  I know He has an answer for every situation.  I know that He will “come again” into any circumstance as He promised to set us free, save us, fix the problem, bring justice, bring life, bring healing, bring provision…whatever is needed.  That is just who He is.  I agree with Him.  I’m sorry they don’t.

Maybe they will be like Dan Mohler’s son and will come to the maximum frustration point.  Then they will have to decide for themselves.  Maybe they will have to decide to agree with God or agree with the lies of the enemy.  Still my faith should never be affected by someone else’s despair.  I believe in hope.  I actually believe in the assurance of hope.  I believe it is for now.  It is actually in the Bible:

Heb 11:1 NOW faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses] (AMP) (emphasis added)

Our faith is for NOW.  Not only is our faith for now but hope is for now.  Do you know what hope deferred is?

Prov 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (ESV)

(Did you see “tree of life.”  Come on! that is a post of its own.)

In the last post I talked about how religion and the enemy have pushed the promises of the power of God off into a “second coming.”  Fear and doubt have put the presence of God into a millennial reign.  I tried to show you that all those supposed references to a “second coming” are intended for now.  I described the “Eureka” moment of Jesus.  I really believe that generation after generation have missed the promises of God in power because of unbelief.  No doubt it isn’t their fault.  People believe what they are taught.  So I am attempting to spread the truth.  I really want you to see Him.  I want you to hear Him.  I want you to experience Him.  Who am I kidding?  He wants all that for you.  I’m just the simple messenger.

So let me “reveal” to you another word that is historically been associated with a “second coming.”  It is a word that is also often translated as appear.

Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (ESVST)

The root word for “appear” in this passage is phaneróō (from 5457 /phṓs, “light”) – properly, illumine, make manifest (visible); (figuratively) make plain, in open view; to become apparent (“graspable”).

This “appearing” is to “see clearly” or “see plainly” or to “have an open view of.”  We can “grasp” something we haven’t before.  Here it is in another passage:

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, we are God ‘s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears  we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (ESVST)

Did you know that not only is this “appearing” for now, Jesus makes it very clear that He isn’t trying to hide it (Himself) from your sight.  Check out this passage:

Mar 4:22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (ESVST)

Don’t “let it be taken away” from you.  The enemy wants to steal your sight.  He wants to steal your hope.  You have the right to see.  Jesus wants you to see His appearing.  He wants you to see Him in every situation.  When you do see Him everything changes.  Your faith explodes in hope.  Your heart is no longer sick.  Your desires are fulfilled.  Listen, it may take more than five minutes.  It may take days or weeks or years but you will still see Jesus in the middle of it (whatever IT is).  I guarantee whatever you are facing, when you see Jesus in it you are filled with hope.  You will see what I see.  You will see what He sees.  Don’t let anyone deceive you into deferring what Jesus has promised.

Dan Mohler’s wife woke up from the coma an hour later.  Her face returned to normal.  It looked like she had never been in an accident.  No “launch the emergency prayer warriors.”  No “desperate pleading with a stingy God.”  No “appeal for agreement with hopelessness.”  Nope.  Instead He saw Jesus.  He saw hope.  Hope showed up.  His name is Jesus.

Yay God!

Lance