On Seeing Beyond What You See
February 7, 2009
Do you think it is possible for you to see beyond what you actually see? Try to read the following sentences. “I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frs it and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but t he wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh, and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!”
Could you read the information? You probably could, and you were able to do so because you did not focus on the letters themselves; instead, your mind focused on what the letters should be. Now, let us apply this idea to our day-to-day. Too many Christians focus on what is. In other words, they look at the jumbled letters of the misdeeds of others. They give priority to the various inequities and injustices in the world. They highlight and constantly lament the tragedies and tribulations of their own lives. But think again of the seemingly confusing message above — when we focus on the misplaced letters, we will not be able to see the true letters.
So what should we do? We read not what is, but what should be. Scripture helps us in the development of this ability. The apostle Paul wrote that Christians “. . . have put off the old man and his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:9-10). Do you see it, West Broad and friends? If we have a renewed mind, we will view our circumstances in a renewed way. We will not focus on the pain that is; instead, we will see the peace that is possible through Christ Jesus. The next time the world looks a bit garbled to you, remember who you are and what you have as a child of God. Learn to see beyond what you see. I have every confidence you will discover that the world can be a beautiful place, after all. Think about it! –JLNJR (Resource: Internet Forward, accessed 2/4/09)
