Experiencing God's Presence #7

We know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God.

1 John 5:20

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us,” wrote A. W. Tozer, and he was right. The way we see God profoundly shapes who we are. If we see Him as a dictator, we’ll be servile. If we see Him as an indulgent uncle, we’ll live indulgently. If we think He’s a vocal speaker, we’ll listen; but if we think He’s silent and obscure, we’ll shut our ears to the possibility of hearing Him. If we believe Jesus is coming soon, we’ll prepare. But is He coming to rapture us away to heaven, or are we meeting Him in the sky as He comes to earth to establish His Kingdom? Our answer affects the nature of our mission. Our confidence in Him, the way we talk to Him, the things we expect of Him—everything is shaped by our vision.

That’s also true of how we see ourselves. If we see ourselves as sinners who can never get things right, we’ll live up to that vision. If we see ourselves as new creatures of faithfulness and authority, we’ll live up to that vision instead. The way we view God, ourselves, the world, and the future determines our outlook, moods, morals, relationships, and experiences. It’s absolutely vital to pay attention to how we see.

Have extreme confidence in God. Look at His plan for the world through hope-colored lenses. Understand the calling and authority He has given you. Insist on seeing truth, letting His Spirit give you His eyes. Look for His Presence with the expectation of sensing it because you know He’s a God who comes to His people. In every area of life, develop your vision. You may be surprised by what you see.

Lord, let me see You, myself, other people, the world, the future—all things—the way they really are. Radically shape me from within according to truth.

From the book