Practicing God's Presence in What We See

An Introduction to Season 6: See

I never considered myself a green thumb. Rather, I jokingly call myself an accidental gardener, because while I've always loved growing flowers, I had never grown a vegetable before moving to the farm. In full transparency, I had tried growing herbs before in a kit my sister gave me once and I couldn't even get those to grow. My thumb had no hint of green whatsoever.

Then, 'Dubs and I get married and move to our farm ...where there are more flowerbeds than I can count! Large ones, too. Oh, and a greenhouse! Thankfully, the lady who lived here before us became a sweet friend of mine and graciously came over to show me how to use this incredible thing they call a greenhouse. It's nothing short of amazing; us pale thumb gardeners suddenly grow tomatoes. And not just one or two but an entire jungle of tomatoes!

Having a few seasons now under my belt, my view of gardening has changed. I now consider all of gardening to be an experiment. This shift in perspective has freed the perfectionist in me. It's trial and error. I learn from last season and improve for the next, but the next season will inevitably be another round of trial and error. Through it, I am starting to see just a hint of green on these dear pale thumbs of mine. (Then again, maybe it's from pulling these weeds over and over again...) Where before I considered a green thumb something truly out of reach for me, I now understand it to be something not to be born with but something you acquire and develop with practice. Having a green thumb, at its core, is all about observation. A green thumb, therefore, is someone who is a keen observer.

Now, some are born with an innate knack for observing, this is true. But what I know is true for all of us is we pay close attention to the things that matter to us.

When my daughter was a newborn, I watched so closely. I noticed not just when her body grew (and it was time for the next set of clothes or a new size of diaper) but when her teeny-tiny eyelashes grew. Her dad and I checked her tiny nails regularly to see if they needed a trim. We'd check every neck crevice for drops of milk that dribbled down her chin, closely escaping the bib. We'd watch closely on walks so no bugs or bumps in the road would bother her. We have been keen observers of our baby because she matters so very much to us.

My husband matters deeply to me. I study not just who he is but who he is becoming. I notice what makes him laugh, what intrigues him, what brings him life, what hurts him, what grieves him, what he's curious about today. I am a keen observer of my husband because he, too, matters so very much to me.

Our family matters greatly to me, and while I do try to pay attention to various indicators such as the tone of their voice on a phone call and try to care for them with a sincere heart, I am also becoming a keen observer of different things, reminders if you will, which help me care for them in other ways. For one family member who loves birds, I decided to pray for her every time I saw her favorite bird. Now, I'm so much more aware and it's not uncommon for me to see these birds multiple times throughout my day. So in a way, I am becoming a keen observer of birds inadvertently, but it's helping me be a faithful prayer warrior for my family.

Professionally, this is true. Grammar and communicating clearly and effectively matters to me, so I am a keen observer of the words and punctuation I use, the stories I tell, the memories I keep, the clarity I find in life, the wisdom I learn and in which I soak. I am a keen observer of words and a seeker of truth.

My home matters to me. I notice (more than is helpful) when dust gathers on a windowsill or when dirt is tracked into the entryway. But more than cleanliness, I notice how my home makes our family and friends feel. Are they able to slow down and breathe a little deeper here? Do they feel pressures of life lifted and love embrace them? Are their smiles bigger and laughs louder here? Do they feel they are known and loved as they are here? Are they inspired by God's creation around them? I am a keen observer of my home and those whom it gets to hold.

More than all of these, my faith matters most to me. I am learning no one gets the story they want. We may get some chapters we want, but curveball chapters are inevitable. Monotonous chapters. Heartbreaking chapters. Confusing or deeply dark and sorrowful chapters. And God is in these chapters with us. His presence never leaves us. But to experience His presence and the fruit of His Spirit in these spaces — and these pages — of our lives, we must learn to become aware of His presence and aware of His power and His control over all of it — even the unwanted circumstances of our lives.

My natural reaction is to pull back from trouble when it comes - both the minute and the big. When a drink is spilled or a tire is flat or fractions and dissensions in relationships happen, I immediately make a mental disagreement with the circumstance, for this is not what I want. However, I'm learning to welcome trouble, because I'm learning this is where I will experience God today. I will see Him here. I will learn what He has for my heart in this today.

And that is what life is really all about - our relationship with God. So it makes sense we will see God in everything when we learn to look for God in everything.

And that, my friend, is what I want us to practice together. Because I want to be us to be a people who are green thumbs, not necessarily with plants but with our faith. I want us to be keen observers, taking in every opportunity to see and experience the wonder of God's love in everything around us everywhere we go. I want the blinders to be lifted from our eyes and for us to learn to see what is hidden in plain sight - the great, great love of the Father for all of us.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. - Romans 1:20

Speaking of things being hidden in plain sight, I want to pause here for a moment. With it being the Easter season, I'm reminded of the blood of the unblemished lamb on the doorposts - a promise God's wrath would passover at the sight of their faith.

In the book of Exodus, we learn the Lord gives very clear instructions on selecting a lamb without defect. It continues:

"...Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt."- Exodus 12: 7-13

It was a command for the Israelites' faith to become visible, an outward expression of their inner decision to follow and trust God, in a culture and society very much opposed to God and His way. (Sounds a bit like ours today, huh?) Obedience equalled protection. Protection from God's wrath, protection from death.

God does not ask us to cover our doorposts with the blood of the lamb, because the most perfect, holy and unblemished Lamb, the Son of God, Jesus Christ has poured out His blood on our behalf when He died on the cross for our sins. Because of this, we are no longer under the law of Moses. God does not require animal sacrifices any more because His Son was the ultimate sacrifice.

In response to receiving this gift of grace, our faith is not meant to be lived quietly. God did not save us quietly. He swung for the fences and boldly pursued relationship with us. It makes sense He wants us to live boldly for Him. He wants our faith and trust in Him to be visible to others.

So, we need to ask ourselves: what do others see when they look at our lives? Do they see us living in fear of the Lord, taking His Word seriously? Do they see faithfulness and devotion in our lives? Have we become keen observers of God in our midst? Are we rejoicing in trials because we can see God is still in control here? And more, what can we learn about God through what we see and observe before us?

As we discussed before, "Beauty will save us," so let's prayerfully ask God, "Father, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to feel and understand. As we do, may we learn to walk in step with the Spirit of Holiness and may Your fragrance of heaven linger on us and be a gift we give to others - so they may be drawn to this scent and come to taste and see for themselves the goodness and wonder of your love."

If we are to experience the wonder of God's love - to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, to be filled with the fullness of God, we need to awaken our souls to this Beauty here with us.

Our new mini-series on seeing the wonders of His love is just getting started, and I so hope you'll join us back here next week - same time, same place - for more encouragement.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.