In the winter I find myself taking some of the most breathtaking walks. Lately, getting our puppy out on a walk happens just as the sun is setting, turning the skies to brilliant hues of pink and light purple.
In its own way, winter is beautiful and becoming, while also frigid and bare. But underneath ground, especially beneath the tall trees that lay against the backdrop of pure white snow, much is going on. Roots are stretching, deepening, growing. They are doing the vital work for ultimate growth for spring. Perhaps there is no visible, noteworthy growth to be seen… but it is happening in a deep and wonderful way in which spring soon enough will show.
Often there is more going on than meets the eye, isn’t there?
That sure was true of my tenth birthday party! Like any kid I was thrilled to be entering the double digits. I was excited to hear of birthday plans (my parents always threw great parties at our home) but somehow we hadn’t quite gotten around to talking about it that year.
So imagine my shock when “SURPRISE” was yelled and all my friends and family jumped out from their hiding places at our home one evening. I hadn’t seen it coming! They pulled off a grand surprise (and yes, I think everyone should have at least one surprise birthday party)!
The last thing I expected that night was a party at my home. It had been a routine Sunday with church in the morning, a playdate in the afternoon and then coming home. But so much more was going on under the surface… from the playdate “distraction” to the returning home “just on time”– everything had a purpose. It was just more than my eyes could see!
The same is true for us, friend. There is so much going on behind the scenes spiritually! So many wonderful plans and purposes, better than we ever could imagine!
Don’t let your eyes deceive you. What is going on in the natural and what you can see with your physical eyes is not the ultimate truth.
Scripture says,
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
It’s true! What we can see with our eyes is fading, ending, short-lived. What we see with our spiritual eyes is permanent, indestructible, timeless.
So how do we train our eyes to see more than just what meets the eye? We sharpen and train to see with the eyes of the spirit. The Holy Spirit can help us “see” the things to come (John 16:13). He will guide us and lead us in all truth. We keep our hearts tender towards Him, walk in His path, and we will have those spiritual glimpses into what is going on behind the scenes… where the real truth is!
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”
John 16:13
How can we actively participate with what’s going on behind the scenes spiritually? 1) Prayer! Prayer gives us insight into God’s plan. 2) God’s Word! It is through His word our minds are renewed and we are able to know His will (Romans 12:2). 3) Walk by faith! When we walk with the Father we can see things not as they are but as they will be (Hebrews 11:1).
So I encourage you this week, friend, to look BEYOND what your natural eyes see. Look beyond the situation that tries to press up close and intimidate. Look beyond that situation that tries to tell you you won’t make it, you aren’t worth it, it’s not going to work out. That situation, no matter how stark, scary or real it feels is temporal. What God is doing behind the scenes is what is eternal. His answer is being released to you! It may be “behind the scenes” right now, but you can count on His faithfulness showing up for you, no matter what these physical eyes see. Let’s keep our faith placed in Him: He’s the Sure Foundation (Psalm 62:2).
My prayer for this week: Lord, I ask you to help us see with our spiritual eyes. Help us tune into the Truth– the “behind the scenes”– and know no matter what tries to present itself in front of us, Your words and Your answers are eternal. All else is falling away. Help us to see beyond what these natural eyes can see and see “more than meets the eye”. We know you have great and glorious plans for us. “If it’s not good, then you are not done” *. We center our faith on you today. We believe that you are alive, you are working, and you are causing your will and plans to come to pass. Amen.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory.”
Ephesians 3:20
Until next time,
*this phrase is from the song “Joy in the Morning” by Tauren Wells.
PS. My husband and I made a specific and long prayer list when we were first newly married covering topics from starting a family to owning a home to his eventual American citizenship, etc… and we prayed and agreed on these things for several months, even years.
Some of the things we prayed for seemed not to be “budging” (specifically my husband’s quest to stay in America and become an American citizen— read about that here: https://melanietalevski.com/2021/09/26/peach-promises/ ) but we were amazed in 2009 when one thing after another was pouring into our laps from God! Each and every thing on the list started coming to pass. It seemed like things would not change, would not move, but when we kept praying, great things happened by God’s power. I encourage you to make your own list! There is so much going on in the spirit…. so much more than meets the eye.
Melanie Talevski 