One early evening while living in Anchorage, we saw the glow of the soon-to-rise moon over the mountains just east of town. So, we decided to drive up the Hillside (the foothills of the Chugach range) to get a ringside seat. We wanted to get higher and “closer” to be the first to watch the moon rise over the mountains. (Ridiculous, right?)
We waited and waited and waited. From our position, we could see the glow in the sky behind the peaks, but the moon itself never appeared. We finally gave up and drove back down into the city. When we turned around, there it was. The had risen long before and was already high in the sky. But, from our “ringside seat” up on the Hillside, it was unseen to us. We had hoped that the mountain would give us a better, more elevated view, but instead, the mountain top blocked it. The intent was good, but the angle was wrong. We were “too close” to see it.
Often we are too close to a situation to see the glory of God already at work. Our intent is good, but our perspective is off.
- We pray for answers, but we’re too involved to see the process.
- We pray for direction, but we don’t see the process of leading.
- We know the power of prayer—we don’t see the process of healing.
- We see our loved one’s struggle—we don’t see the process of saving.
- We see the new believer’s conflict—we don’t see the process of growth.
We see our children as they ARE, not fully realizing that God is already forming them into what they WILL be.
- We see the pouty little girl—we don’t see the sensitive caregiver she WILL BE one day.
- We see the shy introverted Bible quizzer—we don’t see the future insightful Bible teacher.
- We see the rebellious teenager—we don’t see the dynamic evangelist or the prayerful pastor.
Look at a budding peony bush. Each bud has all its glorious petals already formed, contained, controlled, and waiting … until the time is right for them to burst forth into the full glory of the blossom. WOW! But, you can’t rush it. You can’t force it. “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4 KJV)
Patience … and perspective.
God has already hung the moon, but perhaps we’re too close to our circumstances to see it. We want to know the ending before we read the book. We want to have the answers before taking the class. We long to see the BlG picture without seeing the WHOLE picture. Just step BACK.
In Anchorage, God didn’t hide the moon from us—it was there in full view. Everyone ELSE could see it! But WE saw it for ourselves WHEN we changed our perspective. Sometimes, we think God is withholding His Will from us—He’s not. It may be in full view. Perhaps if we step back, change our perspective, continue to do what we know to do is right, keep walking in the light of His Word—we’ll see the full glory of His face shining on us. It was there all the time.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)
The revelation of God’s glory is not immediate nor is it universal. He reveals secrets to whom He chooses when He chooses. There are mysteries and truths that He elects to keep hidden, in order to encourage us to seek a deeper understanding and closer relationship with Him. But, not everything that we think is hidden—truly IS hidden. We may need to simply step back to get a wider view.
Prayer: LORD Jesus, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18 KJV)
