“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," ~ Romans 1:20

Think back to when you were a young child, eagerly anticipating a specific toy for Christmas. You couldn't wait to unwrap your presents, hoping to find that item. Eventually, you were delighted to discover that your wish had come true. But how quickly did that excitement fade, leaving the toy forgotten in the corner of your closet? And what about the gratitude you felt towards the person who gave you the gift, if any?

Christians, let's acknowledge that God has lavishly blessed us with everything. However, there's a risk that we might prioritize the gifts over the giver. We must recognize God's presence in every aspect of our lives. Otherwise, we might fall into the trap of idolizing His gifts, hopping from one to the next as they lose their allure. When we elevate the gifts above the giver, they gain a hold on us. Our desire should be for God to hold us, not the gifts. Otherwise, what God meant to be a blessing becomes a curse.

Seeing God

The story of Job can be challenging for many to grasp. Some have even questioned whether God appears sadistic in this narrative. Despite the immense trials Job endured, he was gifted the greatest gift. I understand this might be hard to comprehend after delving into the details of his story, but he was.

The crux of understanding the story lies in Job's own reflection: "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me (Job 3:25)." These words demonstrate that Job was worshiping the gifts above God, the gift giver. Following God's confrontation, Job gains profound insight into his own folly. He humbly declares, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."(Job 42:5-6) In losing everything, Job received the gift of seeing God, recognizing Him as the most significant aspect of life.

Knowing God is beneficial, but seeing God is crucial. My neighbor knows my daughter, but I see my daughter. I see her because I love her. I see her desires, hurts and pains, and dreams. Knowing is in the mind, but seeing is in the heart. To know God is vital, but to see Him makes what we know real.

We must see God if we truly want to flourish as Christians.

See God's Kingdom

When Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is at hand," he meant that the reign and rule of God, characterized by justice, mercy, and redemption, was imminent or within reach. It signified the present availability of God's transformative power and presence in the lives of those who would embrace it. The love, sacrifice, and teachings of Jesus embody the essence of the Kingdom, and it's vital to hold onto this truth in our hearts, as it represents our true home.

See God's Hand

God is the creator and sustainer of all things—the heavens, the earth, and the vast universe. Every aspect of our being, from our DNA and cells to our minds, bears His imprint. He has endowed humanity with the remarkable capacity to create. His handiwork is evident in every facet of our existence—the clouds, the air we breathe, even the chairs we sit on. Without His guiding hand, we would lack the means and ability to create anything. Simply put, without God, we are powerless.

See God's Gifts

Every gift we have, whether it's our loved ones, friends, pets, material possessions, or the earth itself, is a blessing from God. These gifts serve as instruments for our survival and tools to glorify Him. While we may eventually part with them, it's through God's grace that we've been given stewardship over these treasures. Therefore, it's our responsibility to use them wisely and for His glory.

See God's Desires

God's love for us is profound, and His greatest desire is to bless us with Himself, the ultimate gift.

See God's Love

It's astonishing to comprehend that the creator of the entire universe sees us as the most significant aspect of His creation. God has turned the world upside down to have a relationship with us. What matters most to God? You do!

See God more and more every day!

Every day, God needs to be more important to us than anything else, even ourselves. The more we see Him, the better we understand the picture from His perspective. And the clearer His perspective becomes, the better we can see things the way God intended them to be seen.

If we fail to see God, understanding His heart becomes a challenge. Material possessions morph into necessities, and people and things may become bothersome instead of being seen as God's lost children and opportunities to enrich our lives. Our earthly existence becomes life itself rather than a platform for glorifying God.

Consider the scenario I previously described, but this time, imagine yourself in God's position. You give a gift to someone you deeply care about. Initially, they're thrilled with the gift, but their enthusiasm wanes, and they eventually cast it aside. Not only is the gift neglected, but their gratitude towards you diminishes just as swiftly. How would you feel?

God has gifted us with every good gift, but if we only focus on the gifts themselves, we're missing the essence of it all. Our greatest gift lies in God Himself, and this is the gift Job received.