Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Believing is Seeing
Did you know that dogs see only in back and white? For them it must be like it was for us in the days before color television. Once my husband and I had an Irish setter named Sean. I thought it was a shame that Sean could not see the beauty of his chestnut color against the green grass as he ran through a hay field.
In some ways we humans are limited too. We seem to see things only in black and white. All of the colors we associate with the season of fall are actually present all summer in the leaves in the trees. While the leaves are busy making food the green from the chlorophyll is the only color we see. When the leaves stop making food, and sugars are trapped in the leaves, on cold nights they bring forth the reds and purples, the yellows and oranges.
Most of us do not believe in things we can’t see. We ascribe to the old maxim, “Seeing is believing!” And so our sight is limited. The truly wise person knows that “believing is seeing,” and that we see only what we believe to be true.
It is my fervent belief that God is in our world working to repair the broken and fractured places. We may not be able to see God at work with our eyes, but if we become part of the forces working for healing and reconciliation, we will discover God in the men and women with whom we work. We will see that God is at work all the time. I encourage you to join Habitat and help build a decent house for a family. Volunteer with a group that gives shelter to families who are homeless. Keep them from sleeping in a cold car or on the street. Money may be scarce but opportunities abound to make the world safer, healthier, and more secure for others.
The color of the leaves is free. God’s love is freely given. I invite you to involve yourself in sharing God’s love. You may not be able to see it right now but if you work with others you will see God.
Blessings, Karen