For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Seeing Through a Dark Glass
Almost fifty, I barely recognize my middle-aged reflection. Who is that woman with the double chin? Can people see old tears in those eyes? What about those cheeky patches of childhood rejection? In midlife, I am confronted with my own mortality. The mirror reminds me of my inadequacies. Will God still use me at this age, after all I have done in the past? Indeed, my faith is tested when God’s spiritual promises seem impossible in the natural.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Honest Christians have asked themselves similar questions: How many years did we waste in the world? How many years do we have left to dedicate to God? Without clear direction, how do we know which way to go? Have we missed the mark? Is there still hope to be useful in God’s kingdom? Sometimes, we cannot clearly see God’s plan. Apostle Paul described this type of uncertainty as looking through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:9-12). God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. His wisdom is infinite, and his plans are eternal. How can we grasp the magnitude of his glory or fully comprehend the beauty of his holiness? We have limited sight distance now, but all mysteries will be revealed.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
If we can only see partly now, how do we know we abide by his will? Be encouraged, God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It leads to righteousness and shows the everlasting way. We have also been blessed with God’s Spirit, which bears witness that we are his children. No wonder Jesus said the Father seeks those who worship him in Spirit and truth!
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Corinthians 2:11-12
The enemy tries to distort our reflection with fear and doubt, but the Lord has revealed the truth. By faith, we hide the Word of God in our hearts and walk in the Spirit—the same Spirit who knows the things of God and intercedes for us.
Without a vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). The Father would not leave his people flailing blindly in a wicked world. He gave prophets supernatural foresight, making promises throughout the generations. The prophecies of old culminated in the birth of God’s precious Son, Jesus Christ. Through those visions, we can thrive with enduring hope today, even when our foresight is not 20/20.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Habakkuk 2:2
Visions Reveal God’s Promises
God promised that Abraham’s seed would be as innumerable as the stars. Nevertheless, Abraham’s wife Sarah remained barren to old age. Abraham did not see how it was possible for her to conceive. Sometimes, we are unsure of what the Lord has promised us. Our current situation does not seem very promising. We may begin to doubt that the Lord promised us anything. We love him, certainly, but perhaps we misunderstood him. Perhaps those promises apply to other people. We may become fearful, thinking we can no longer recognize God’s voice. The looking glass gets dimmer as we imagine walking alone.
Consider elderly Abraham; God never breaks a promise:
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:1-6
Indeed, Abraham’s situation was dim, yet he believed in God’s promise. In due time, he and his wife bore Isaac. After that, God challenged Abraham’s faith again. He demanded that the old man sacrifice his long-awaited son. Abraham passed the test, and God spared Isaac’s life. No matter how long it takes, with God, all things are possible if we believe. His Word will never return to him void.
Visions Reveal God’s Purpose
Unaware of their purpose and potential, many believers live in a dark shadow of uncertainty. They fall into a routine of work, church, and leisure, bearing no witness and yielding no fruit. They do not know who they are in Christ. They continually ask God to bless their mediocrity—to keep them safely hidden from the world—rather than asking for clarity of vision and power to tread on serpents. They choose to be comfortable rather than fight, not wanting to lose their possessions, much less their lives.
Remember, all things work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28-30). He gets the glory when we fearlessly and faithfully trust him with our future. Consider Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, who would inherit the patriarch’s promises:
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Genesis 46:1-3
Jacob, the deceiver, stole his brother’s birthright and fled for fear of retribution. After that, he spent twenty laborious years on a farm, having been deceived by his uncle. He eventually left with his wives and children and acquired possessions. He settled in Canaan; years later, a famine struck the land. Jacob’s situation was dim, but God gave him specific instructions in visions and promised to make him a great nation. Despite his past inadequacies, Jacob obeyed even though he could not see all that God had planned. God’s ultimate purpose was to send the Savior through Jacob’s bloodline. As inheritors of that promise, we also have a higher calling and purpose—in Christ Jesus.
Visions Confirm the Messiah
Through the generations, God gave visions pointing to the coming Messiah. God’s people waited hundreds of years to see him. Just as promised, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. He would be the light of the world, giving sight to the blind and revealing things to come. To confirm his identity, he gave three disciples a breathtaking vision.
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Matthew 17:1-5
What a wonder to behold Jesus Christ in his glory! The scripture had been fulfilled in their lifetime, and God proclaimed his pleasure from heaven! The disciples believed that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had finally sent the promised Messiah. Indeed, they had the honor of walking with the Son of God, basking in the beauty of his holiness. He had come to save the world and establish his church.
20/20
We can see the truth: Jesus Christ is the Redeemer whom the prophets envisioned and the disciples witnessed! He is the way, the truth, and the life. Without him, we certainly perish. Therefore, Christians, put away the mirrors and look to the hills instead! Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He fulfills his promises for his name’s sake, regardless of our past failures, progressing age, or circumstances. Those who believe in Jesus—and worship him in Spirit and truth—are Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:28-29), great nation (1 Peter 2:9), and Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:27). Like the disciples, we will see Jesus in all his glory. And he will be a vision to behold.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.