Ah! You're Just Seeing Things!

And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha - 2 Kings 6:17

Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of all things baseball. One of my two favorite all-time baseball movies is the movie Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner plays the part of an Iowa farmer that had a vision to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield.

Part of the romance and mystery is this: he did not know why.

What he did know was that he was to do it. Much to the chagrin of his neighbors and extended family, he built the baseball diamond in the farm community. As the story continues, one night some players showed up. The man realized these were no ordinary players, but were actually the great players from the past. When the skeptical family came to view this phenomenon, they were unable to see what the farm owner could see. This made it even worse for him. Now he was really a lunatic in their eyes; having plowed under valuable farm land he needed to pay the bills and feed his family.

This fictitious story has a spiritual application for you and I. First, if God tells us to "build a ball field," we should do it. It is not for us to determine the reason we are instructed to do it. Once we are obedient, God steps us through obedience, one foot at a time in front of the next. Because He is a personal God He will allow us to see what others cannot see. It is His personal vision for each of us who names Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It's also a kind of rite of passage for those willing to risk their reputation for God's purposes. As our walk and trust levels rise in our faith my dear friends and family God increases the spiritual senses to levels we never knew before. If you continue to walk in faith those around you will observe this. You will become a spiritual beacon in ways you had not considered. As in the movie mentioned above, "They will come" to you for wisdom, truth, and a touch from God.

Do you want to see what others cannot see? Let me put it another way: do you wish to see more for what God would do in and through your life? If so, it will require a level of obedience that will go beyond human reason. This last week I read an article that showed the path from agnosticism to faith to world-wide power with God for over a dozen men (Wilberforce, Tolkien, T.S. Eliot, and C. S. Lewis to name a few). These men all claimed they got there because Christianity was the only reasonable explanation for the world, their lives and the future. Each however proclaimed it was a step of faith that caused them to realize just how personal and loving God was.

Your faith and God's personal command to you may require risk and ridicule from others. But you will see what others cannot see and it will be an eternal adventure! I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~