Excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest

February 10, 2009
Is Your Ability to See God Blinded?

Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things . . . —Isaiah 40:26

The people of God in Isaiah’s time had blinded their minds’ ability to see God by looking on the face of idols. But Isaiah made them look up at the heavens; that is, he made them begin to use their power to think and to visualize correctly. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it.

The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking. Wake up and accept the ridicule that Isaiah gave to his people, and deliberately turn your thoughts and your eyes to God.

One of the reasons for our sense of futility in prayer is that we have lost our power to visualize. We can no longer even imagine putting ourselves deliberately before God. It is actually more important to be broken bread and poured-out wine in the area of intercession than in our personal contact with others. The power of visualization is what God gives a saint so that he can go beyond himself and be firmly placed into relationships he never before experienced.

I was talking with a dear friend last night while we studied at the local Barnes & Noble and she said that she was focusing on praying for other people. It really got me to thinking because within my busy day, it is so easy to spend hours without even thinking of anyone else, let alone putting mental energy into praying for them. I think that what Oswald is saying here is that if I visualize or imagine the life of God coming in the daily life of my loved ones (and my enemies) then that is essentially praying for them. Hoping and asking God to bring healing, peace, effectiveness and prosperity to others. Hmmm, what a good and real challenge.

Have a lovely day friends. I miss you folks during the craziness of school, but know that if you EVER need anything, please call!

Labels: prayer