Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things . . . —Isaiah 40:26
The people of God in Isaiah’s time had blinded their minds’ ability to see God by looking on the face of idols. But Isaiah made them look up at the heavens; that is, he made them begin to use their power to think and to visualize correctly. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it.
The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking. Wake up and accept the ridicule that Isaiah gave to his people, and deliberately turn your thoughts and your eyes to God.
One of the reasons for our sense of futility in prayer is that we have lost our power to visualize. We can no longer even imagine putting ourselves deliberately before God. It is actually more important to be broken bread and poured-out wine in the area of intercession than in our personal contact with others. The power of visualization is what God gives a saint so that he can go beyond himself and be firmly placed into relationships he never before experienced.
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February 10, 2012
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, it seems that I can find all kinds of ways to separate myself from our intimate relationship. I can follow my own selfish inclinations, I can operate on the fear that often clouds my heart and mind, and I can even get caught up in “spiritual service” that is more about service that being connected to and with You. There is no end the ways I can disconnect myself from you. And yet I know that being connected with
and to You is vital and essential to my wellbeing. How can I be rescued from this pattern and remain connected to You?
And God says…”Remember Paul’s dilemma, what he wrote in his letter to the Romans?
Romans 7:21-26 (NLV) This has become my way of life: When I want to do what is right, I always do what is wrong. My mind and heart agree with the Law of God. But there is a different law at work deep inside of me that fights with my mind. This law of sin holds me in its power because sin is still in me. There is no happiness in me! Who can set me free from my sinful old self? God’s Law has power over my mind, but sin still has power over my sinful old self. I thank God I can be free through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Even when you feel as if you are not connected, you can remember and trust that Jesus Christ provided the sacrifice that facilitates your “constant connection”. Focus on Jesus and trust that everything else is accomplished, regardless of your old nature and how you feel.”
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