Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - LOOK AND SEE

 LOOK AND SEE

About 10 times in the Bible, between Psalms and Revelation, we are told to come and see. 

Come and see the works of God… 

(Psalm 66:5)

“Come and see.”

(Revelation 6:1,3,5,7)

But although it is good to see physically, it is even better to see spiritually, which is what is suggested in the song Open the eyes of my heart, Lord I want to see you by Michael W, Smith

Whether one sees what is physical with the eyes or sees what is non-physical (spiritual) with the heart depends ultimately on how one looks at whatever it is they are trying to see. It’s evident that one cannot see without looking but it is quite possible to look without seeing. As it says in Isaiah:

Hear you deaf; 

And look, you blind, that you may see.

(Isaiah 42:18)

  However, what we see depends on the direction in which we look and the clarity of our vision. If one uses psychology to answer questions, they are often told to look within themselves for answers, that searching the mind and psyche will provide explanations for the problems that beset people. Additionally, people are often told to look to philosophy in an attempt to understand life’s difficulties. It is sometimes hard to understand how looking to the intellectual capacity of man to solve the problems which man’s intellect has largely caused is really rational but this is often cited as the way we should look.*

Then we are told to be optimistic and look ahead but too much of this is also unwise for it is only by studying our past mistakes can we really hope to avoid similar problems in the future. As Winston Churchill once said: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”*

One who believes in only opportunity and in seizing the same, may only look around for those opportunities which may exist. This might be beneficial but, without looking carefully, the opportunity may be less beneficial than desired; and so the answer found may not be the answer hoped for. *

Similarly, there are those who tend to be pessimistic and feel that a person should always look out for those who might be lurking just to get them. Although some prudence is always necessary, constantly being on the lookout for undesirable activity and circumstances tends to lead to anxiety and depression.*

Perhaps the best thing is to do what God tells us to do and look up even when we don’t feel like it.

I lift up my eyes [look] to the hills-from whence comes my help… 

(Psalm 121:1)

Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation…

(Micah 7:7)

Look to Me, and be saved…for I am God, and there is no other.

(Isaiah 45:22)

…look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

(2 Peter 3:13)

It is evident that even with clear vision one cannot see unless one looks, and then only if that looking is in the right direction - and that is always up, where the real answers can be found.

And this should give one something to think about.

*in part based upon pg 130 in Christ Above All by Dr. David Jeremiah