Just a GLIMPSE
Here comes the sun… ya-da-da-da.
No, not the upbeat Beatles’ tune featuring George Harrison from the 1969 Abbey Road Album. Instead, I am referring to those spiritual ‘aha’ moments we all yearn for.
Think of those grey days when it appears the sun will never shine again, but then a spot on the clouds glows and moments later the sun peeks out. I now see the sun and feel its warmth.
It’s incredible how energized the sun can make me feel. But, sometimes just as quickly, the clouds return and the sun is gone, and so is its warmth. My life returns to the grey.
Leaving to ponder when I will see the sun again?
This glimpse of the sun often describes my pursuit of God. This world of 24/7 distractions clouds my vision, maybe compromising my time alone with God. My prayer time, my Bible reading, and my service to Him can suffer. My Spirit is challenged, and it could use some sunshine (or is it Son-shine?). Bombarded by this world of angst, where the evening news and Social Media posts of the day from literally EVERYONE have a grey-out effect on my perspective.
Even when I am faithful in prayer, daily in God’s Word, glimpses of His Truth can still be fleeting. And a quick check on social media, every church I have ever attended, and today’s undecided on whether to be Catholic or Protestant, and if protestant … WHICH ONE? There are, after all, about 1 BILLION different denominations… THIS all leads me to comfortably conclude I am in a long line with others waiting for that glimpse. When will the sun shine again?
note: Don’t choose a denomination that handles snakes. I decided on that one without needing a glimpse.
In my defense, for having questions. I am Jeff, creator of cartoons, attempting to grasp Almighty God, creator of the Universe.
EDGE GOES TO GOD
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:8-9
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Cor 13:12
I even have my share of questions about God and scriptures that are head-scratchers, …
BUT there is a big difference between not understanding and not believing.
For instance… PHYSICS ISSUES
Methuselah lived to be over 900 years old, really? Ge 5:25-27.
Noah & the universal flood? Ge 6-11
Was the story of Jonah real? Jonah
The parting of the Red Sea, of course, defies the laws of physics. Ex 14
to name a few
and what about… JUSTICE
When the walls of Jericho fell, God commanded Israel to kill every man, woman, and child
Joshua 5
David had Uriah murdered, but no jailtime, nor was he impeached from the title of king?
2 Samuel 11
Again, while I do not understand, I defer to the omniscient, Almighty God, creator of the World, over the understanding of semi-retired Jeff, creator of cartoons. I believe my God is fair and wise in every way.
In this life, I realize I will not understand many things, but those clouds part too, and that glimpse of God, like the sun through the clouds on a grey day, is priceless. This glimpse is truth, wisdom, and love that speaks to me like the warmth of the sun on my soul. My shoulders relax as I gain clarity and perspective.
Lord, I pray for more glimpses and for prolonged glimpses found when I quiet myself, read Your Word, pray without ceasing, listen to worship music, spend time with other believers, and serve others.
In contrast, I must beware that I will lose sight of God when I focus on the waves of this post-Christian culture instead of the calm of Jesus.
No matter how cloudy your day is in this broken world, I pray for Glimpses (and more) of God and His purpose and perspective. Find peace in knowing the Lord as your Shepherd, as described in Psalm 23, and live out Philippians 4:8 by dwelling on and pursuing what is good. “Be still, and know that I am God; Psalms 46:10
And may God bless each of you this day with His light that pierces the clouds of circumstances in this DARK world. Rest in the promise of what He will reveal to us entirely someday.
Jeff (glimpse chaser) Larson
Note: The Apostle Paul was given a tad more than a glimpse of the sun/Son on that road to Damascus.
