My sister Diana and I took great delight in designing games for my youngest sister, Kim, when she was little. One of our favorites was a birthday scavenger hunt where Kim had to figure out clues in order to discover the whereabouts of her presents. Kim had a great deal of fun searching for those gifts and Diana and I took delight in watching her eyes light up when she figured out a clue and was rewarded with another colorful package.
In January of 2011 I joined an online photography group called the "365 Project". Photographers of all levels of ability search out pictures that capture their daily routines and the world around them in a creative and unique way. Sometimes the photos are simply meant to document what their day was like. But many use the challenge of capturing a picture each day as a means to improve their craft. For some it’s a hobby and others it’s a passion but the main goal of many of the “365” photographers is to learn to look at the common, everyday things with a new perspective. You don't need fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to join or to participate. All you need is eyes to see.
The Christian walk requires us to look for God in a similar fashion. Years ago (1984 to be exact) David and Karen Mains wrote a book called The God Hunt. In it they encouraged families to search for "God sightings" like Kim searched for her birthday presents those many years ago. The interesting aspect of this activity is similar to that of the 365 Project. The more you look, the more you see. I recently read of a young mom who uses the walk to the school bus with her children as a way to see God at work in the world around them. They look at the birds and see God's creativity. They say hello and smile at people they know and see His love. What a wonderful way to inspire children to recognize that God is with His creation!
Developing your spiritual eyes is a must on the walk of Christian maturity. It's a challenge to see life through a spiritual lens, because as adults, we've been conditioned to be concrete and practical. In fact, I would propose that our practical, analytical and technological approach to daily living actually deadens our spiritual eyesight. We lack the ability to see God at work because we’ve been conditioned to think that He’s NOT at work- especially in those things. I believe God is at work in it all but most of us don’t see Him at work in anything because we think all God’s work has to miraculous or awe-inspiring. But oftentimes, He is at work in the simple, daily routine each of us goes through just like there are pictures all around us each day. Like my sister, we must look for the clues if we’re to discover what treasures await us. That is the challenge of seeing with spiritual eyes, not just the two organs attached to our face. If we do not learn to see things from a spiritual perspective, we may end up like the servant of Elisha, who could only see the enemies encircled around his camp (2 Kings 6: 8-17). It took the prayer of Elisha to open his eyes to the spiritual realm.
Cultivating your spiritual eyes is not difficult, but it does require that you look beyond the ordinary and the usual. One day, while I waited for my friend to check out her groceries, I was charged with the task of entertaining her 3 year old daughter. How do you keep an active toddler in a shopping cart in a busy supermarket when all she wants to do is get out? In a moment of inspiration I began a game of "I Spy". It was the perfect diversion for Cloe. She loved finding the different colors and objects that I picked out and I was amazed at her powers of observation! The same is true about seeing God in the world around you and in your life. You are more observant than you think! Seeing God at work does not always mean we will be looking at "supernatural" events in our lives. More often it is learning to see those everyday events from a new vantage point. It doesn't take fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to catch sight of God. All you need is eyes to see. Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men. (Psalm 66:5)
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; [email protected]; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
In January of 2011 I joined an online photography group called the "365 Project". Photographers of all levels of ability search out pictures that capture their daily routines and the world around them in a creative and unique way. Sometimes the photos are simply meant to document what their day was like. But many use the challenge of capturing a picture each day as a means to improve their craft. For some it’s a hobby and others it’s a passion but the main goal of many of the “365” photographers is to learn to look at the common, everyday things with a new perspective. You don't need fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to join or to participate. All you need is eyes to see.
The Christian walk requires us to look for God in a similar fashion. Years ago (1984 to be exact) David and Karen Mains wrote a book called The God Hunt. In it they encouraged families to search for "God sightings" like Kim searched for her birthday presents those many years ago. The interesting aspect of this activity is similar to that of the 365 Project. The more you look, the more you see. I recently read of a young mom who uses the walk to the school bus with her children as a way to see God at work in the world around them. They look at the birds and see God's creativity. They say hello and smile at people they know and see His love. What a wonderful way to inspire children to recognize that God is with His creation!
Developing your spiritual eyes is a must on the walk of Christian maturity. It's a challenge to see life through a spiritual lens, because as adults, we've been conditioned to be concrete and practical. In fact, I would propose that our practical, analytical and technological approach to daily living actually deadens our spiritual eyesight. We lack the ability to see God at work because we’ve been conditioned to think that He’s NOT at work- especially in those things. I believe God is at work in it all but most of us don’t see Him at work in anything because we think all God’s work has to miraculous or awe-inspiring. But oftentimes, He is at work in the simple, daily routine each of us goes through just like there are pictures all around us each day. Like my sister, we must look for the clues if we’re to discover what treasures await us. That is the challenge of seeing with spiritual eyes, not just the two organs attached to our face. If we do not learn to see things from a spiritual perspective, we may end up like the servant of Elisha, who could only see the enemies encircled around his camp (2 Kings 6: 8-17). It took the prayer of Elisha to open his eyes to the spiritual realm.
Cultivating your spiritual eyes is not difficult, but it does require that you look beyond the ordinary and the usual. One day, while I waited for my friend to check out her groceries, I was charged with the task of entertaining her 3 year old daughter. How do you keep an active toddler in a shopping cart in a busy supermarket when all she wants to do is get out? In a moment of inspiration I began a game of "I Spy". It was the perfect diversion for Cloe. She loved finding the different colors and objects that I picked out and I was amazed at her powers of observation! The same is true about seeing God in the world around you and in your life. You are more observant than you think! Seeing God at work does not always mean we will be looking at "supernatural" events in our lives. More often it is learning to see those everyday events from a new vantage point. It doesn't take fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to catch sight of God. All you need is eyes to see. Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men. (Psalm 66:5)
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; [email protected]; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
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