When you look at your life or the circumstance around you, what do you see? What conclusions do you draw from the things that happen around you?
We are so quick to draw our own conclusions, aren't we? Something happens, and we react or we speak. We think we know, because we feel we are seeing everything. We act because we assume we have the whole picture.
I know I do that, all the time.
Reading through Luke this morning the same theme kept jumping out at me.
First, Jesus asks this question.
"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Luke 8:45-46 (NIV)
Next
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore."
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." Luke 8:49-50 (NIV)
and finally
"Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."
He replied, "You give them something to eat." Luke 9:12-13 (NIV)
No one touched you Jesus, let's keep moving you are wasting time here. Your daughter is dead, Jairus, send the teacher away. Lord these people have a need, dismiss them so they can eat.
In each of these instances the observer did not see what Jesus saw and they drew a wrong conclusion.
Peter basically tells the Lord his question makes no sense. Well-meaning people tell Jairus to give up hope, and the disciples are looking at their own resources (or lack thereof) and feel there is no other way.
But Jesus talks to the woman he heals, raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, and multiplies fish and bread to feed 5,000.
As we go about life, it is so tempting to draw conclusions for ourselves and others based on our own wisdom and what we see.
But if we stop and ask the Lord, perhaps he has something else in mind. Perhaps there is more to the story than what meets the eye.
Reminds me of an old Hymn, let's make this a prayer today.
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit Divine!
Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Open my mouth and let me bear
Tidings of mercy everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Open my mind that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plea.
