Putting on the Lens of Faith
Today it felt like spring so late in the day I took a drive out to Henderson Sloughs looking for some signs of spring. I guess I was kind of rushing things because I didn’t find many signs. I saw no flowers and only a few trees budding. The vast farmlands lay barren. I enjoyed my drive nonetheless and was able to take some nice images along the way. A number of times I found myself thinking, “It won’t be long until spring kicks into gear and everything will look different.” If someone were to have asked me how I knew this, considering there were few signs of spring present, I would have just indicated that looks can be deceiving. It might not appear like much is happening now but as the days lengthen and the temperatures rise spring will make its grand arrival. It does not matter what things look like today, spring is coming soon.
Nature’s lesson that looks can be deceiving is an important one. It is a lesson that often translates into our spiritual lives. Here, too, things can sometimes appear dismal. We all go through barren times when we may wonder if things will ever change. As we look around us we might conclude that there is no hope.
In such times we need to put on our lens of faith and remember that with God there are no hopeless situations. We need to recall God’s faithfulness in the past and His promise to see us through the various trials and difficulties of life. Even when things appear hopeless we should remember that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) In His own time and in His own way God always comes through for us.
I certainly realize that there are indeed situations where we might find it hard to affirm this truth. There have been numerous occasions in my own life where God did not appear to be anywhere near. What I eventually learned in each situation is the lesson nature teaches us, that looks can be deceiving. He was in fact there with me despite my failure to see Him. In extremely trying times I still may feel that God is nowhere near but my past experiences have taught me that in such times I need to put on the lens of faith and place my trust in God. It is in such times I must remember the apostle Paul’s words, “we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Despite the lack of signs I saw today I do believe that spring will soon arrive. In the same way, I am convinced that whenever we are in need, God will soon arrive as well. You simply cannot always judge things (or God) by appearances.
–Chuck
(I took each of the pictures shown here late this afternoon at Henderson Sloughs Wildlife Management Area.)