Perception part 5
I know I say this a lot, "Seeing is believing." But today I want to end this Rant series with another idea, "Their eyes were blinded, their hearts were hardened, So that they wouldn't see with their eyes and perceive with their hearts, And turn to me, God, so I could heal them" (John 14:20 MSG). Seeing with our eyes... and perceiving with our hearts! That's where true perception comes from. It is the light in me seeking out the light in you. That's where our connection is made. It's not about surface stuff--what people look like, or the things that they like. I love the Detroit Red Wings. But not everybody does. That doesn't mean I can only connect with other Wings fans. Sure, it's an easy connection WITH those other Wings fans, but it certainly doesn't need to disqualify those who have different likes and hobbies. I can even fellowship with people that don't like hockey at all. Truly. Because whether or not you like the Red Wings doesn't really define you. Your heart defines you. That's who you really are. The inner man. The hidden man of the heart. And that's what we need to start looking at--perceiving--in each other. "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). God looks at the heart. And God has given us HIS heart. His heart beating with love in our chests. That's how--and why--we CAN connect with each other. The deep calling out to the deep. Love calling out to love. We don't have to let things come between us. We can perceive what is truly important, and we can let those things bring us together. We can let LOVE--the only, or at least the most, important thing--connect us. Perception is all about "seeing" things as they truly are. And you can only do that with your heart. Your heart knows. That's why I always tell people to follow their heart. To let love guide the way. Love never fails. So if love is guiding your way, you can't go wrong. Now, I'm not saying you'll always get exactly what you want. Because love is giving, not getting. Love doesn't demand its (HIS) own way. It's not about getting anything. It's about giving what you've got. But I am saying you'll always have what you need. I have no lack because my God has no lack. When I see that--with my doves' eyes of the Holy Spirit--and perceive that (with my heart), that's when I can experience that. By giving it away. By sharing it. Letting what's inside come out (naturally) by knowing and believing that it's in there. That HE'S in there. That LOVE is in there. Our perception has to come through the lens of love. Rose colored glasses, if I can say it that way. We need to see things cross-eyed; through the finished work of the cross. When we see it, we be it. When we know what's in our heart, it can come out. Receiving and releasing the love of God is the key to this whole deal. Letting God love us, and loving each other with that same love!