Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
This summer, I got an aquarium. It had been years since I’d had an aquarium, and I felt very "new" as I walked into the pet store. I asked for help – from A to Z. The person who helped me advised that I "cycle the tank" before adding fish. She said it would require patience. It could take six or more weeks, but it would help ensure a better environment for the fish. I agreed to try it.
She told me what to expect. I was to "feed" the tank every day – adding a small amount of food as if the fish were there. After a week or so, the tank would become cloudy. She told me to expect a mess – the water would look horrible and the tank might smell.
"Your friends will think you’re crazy, but tell them it’s normal and you know what you’re doing," she said. "After a few weeks, the tank will clear up. Then you’ll siphon out twenty percent of the water, add new water, and you will be ready for fish."
It happened just the way she described. My beautiful fish tank turned disgusting. The water was thick; the smell inside the tank was horrible. It stayed that way for weeks. I waited. I began to wonder … did I do something wrong? Was this cloudy mess ever going away? Surely I had missed a step.
Finally, at the six-week mark, something amazing happened. The water cleared instantly. I sat and watched it. I’d never seen anything like it. It’s been clear ever since. It’s ready for fish.
For several weeks before the water cleared, I had lost faith. Up until the day before, I was focused on what I might have done wrong, never expecting that the water could clear from such a mess. How often do we feel that way in our lives? We know God’s promises, but our eyes and our senses tell us the water isn’t clearing as promised. God says, "Wait for it …" But we fret. Then, when it happens the way He promised all along, we are amazed.
Heavenly Father, strengthen us in faith, so that we believe Your promises, even when our eyes and our senses deceive us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Where in your life do you need to "wait for it…" ?
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
The drill field at the military college was still mostly in darkness, as I took a morning walk with a friend. The faintest hint of light signaled that dawn would soon approach. The military students, with their exercise squads, became visible in the middle of the drill field.
Something was unusual that day. Normallly the students dressed in uniform exercise clothes. Today, the increasing light revealed a riot of color. It looked chaotic. It had no pattern. Just different students wearing different color t-shirts and uniform pants. I love every color of the rainbow. Why should this bother me? Because it was different from the usual order. The exercise squads seemed in disarray.
About 20 minutes later, something changed on the field. The students were called to order, and they prepared to march around the central campus. As they fell into line, I realized each marching squad wore identical colors. What had earlier seemed to have no rhyme or reason suddenly made sense. It was as if the field were a large kaleidoscope, and someone had just turned the view. I saw from a new perspective. The pieces had all been there. I just hadn’t seen the bigger picture.
It’s the same way as God moves in our lives. We see bits and pieces, and we feel that life is in disarray. Then God moves His hand over those pieces, and everything falls into place. We see from a new perspective – His perspective. The colored shirts on the drill field were a reminder that even when things seem in disarray, we need to have faith and seek God’s perspective.
Heavenly Father, help us to see from Your perspective every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
In whatever situation you are struggling with today, ask God to show you His perspective.