Seeing Dimly Is Still Pretty Awesome!
I got up early and stepped outside. We’d had a night of rain and the hosta blooms slumped under the soaking’s weight. The flowers’ purple beauty, decorated with clinging drops of water, contrasted with their bright green background in our small patio’s majestic theater.
I snapped several shots and retreated back inside, not giving much thought to the photos. Though I had an interest in the water drops on the petals, I’d taken many pictures of our hostas over the years and I anticipated these to be about the same as usual.
Once inside, settled in my recliner, I opened the images.
I glanced outside. The flowers glistened in the bright sunlight.
I studied the images again. Every one of them looked as if my backyard photo shoot had taken place in a fog-laden field instead of the brilliant morning I remembered. I stepped out and took a few more pictures. They replicated the morning as I saw it real life. The only thing I could figure was condensation had accumulated on my lens when I stepped outside the first time.
As I pondered the pictures, I grew increasingly intrigued. I’d probably never recreate that look again—at least not on purpose. I still count those photos as some of my most relaxing. While the next set, without the condensation, reflected what my eyes saw more accurately, the accidents gave me peace.
The images remind me of something Paul said in one of his letters to the church at Corinth.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NASB)
This verse had specific meaning to the early church. Paul wanted them to know that as much as they thought they knew about God, they didn’t know everything. What they knew about God was akin to an imperfect image reflected from one of their polished metal mirrors. But after Jesus returns, we will know God clearly. We may know a lot now, but we’ll know so much more then.
Seeing Dimly Is Still Pretty Awesome! #hope #joy #writingcommunity Click To TweetYou may wonder how my condensation-induced photo fits with that verse. Maybe a stretch here, but just as the hazy hosta produces a sense of calm within me, even my imperfect knowledge of God gives me hope.
I surprise myself at the number of times I read the Bible and think, “I’ll never understand how God did (or does) this or that.”
Take Paul’s reference to the mirror. Sometimes I think my understanding of God is not only looking in a mirror dimly but viewing that mirror through a dirty window. I think, “Hey I get it.” Then, just as quickly, I realize, I don’t.
Still, in my limited understanding, by faith, I know God is good. He is our strength. Our peace. Our hope. Oh, how much more amazing our understanding will be when we finally get to see Him face to face. As Paul says, we will know Him fully, as we have been known fully by Him all this time.
Are you looking forward to knowing God fully? Please share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.
Wow, Tim, what a stunning photo and hope-FULL post! This is such a fabulous representation of 1 Corinthians 12:13, even if it’s not a mirror. Although that one little bloom stands out and we can see it’s beautiful, what’s actually there, behind all the “fog” is so much more. Although we can’t see them, I’m sure the plants are healthy, lush and full. It’s the same way with our understanding of God, I think. There are times that we have that flash of understanding, but later realize we still don’t fully understand. We can see the ‘bloom’ but not the whole ‘plant.’ God is so much more awesome than we could ever imagine. As you said, we won’t know him fully until we are with Him in Heaven. What a day that will be!
Terri, thank you so much for your thoughts! I really like what you said about knowing what is behind the “fog” and the bloom vs. the whole plant. So insightful! Thanks for all you do.
Hello my Brother – loved this post, it really resonated with me! It made me think of an illustration I’ve used from time-to-time about how – despite my years of focused study – little I still know about GOD! If I think of everything I know as being contained in a circle, everything outside of the circle are the questions I have about everything I don’t know. Then suddenly – while studying GOD’s Word He reveals Himself to me in answer to another question I’ve had, increasing the size of the circle of how much I know about Him . . . but then just as quickly I realize that as the inside of my circle grew, so did the outside and now I have even more questions than I did before! This used to frustrate me in my learning about my Redeemer GOD, but ironically my studies have also taught me to not only expect it, but embrace it: a finite, created being like me is wholly incapable of ever comprehending the immensity of the eternal, un-created, Creator GOD. What a blessing, however, to be so loved by my LORD that He indefatigably prepares my heart and mind to continually receive His revelation while keeping me thirsting for Him through more questions. Great post my Brother – looking forward to seeing you an Ms. Sarah – love you guys!
Guy – thank you for your comments. You painted a beautiful picture of our spiritual growth. I really like the idea of embracing our not comprehending God fully. His Word tells us so much about Him, yet our relationship requires a living faith. Wonderful! We love you guys, too!