Looking Back

1 Corinthians 13:12 – We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! (MSG)

Galatians 6:9 – So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. (MSG)

Philippians 4:12-13 – Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (MSG)

It was a gorgeous summer raspberry-picking day! My daughter and I packed up our containers and motored away. Disappointment awaited, however, as the patch had been almost picked out. Still, we had travelled a fair distance to our destination, so we decided to "give it a go". After working one row, intently searching for enough berries to fill my pail, I turned around and worked backwards. I was pleasantly surprised to discover many "new" berries on the already-gleaned bushes! Of course, the berries weren't "new" at all. I just hadn't seen them from my previous position.

This incident brought to mind Paul's word in Corinthians: we don't yet see things clearly. Within our limited earthly view, we often struggle to understand or "see into" our earthly experiences, only to be disappointed with our scant understanding. At such times we must especially walk by faith. We have already travelled a fair distance toward our heavenly destination, and we must therefore continue to keep "giving it a go" — not in our strength, but in His. For if we do not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good, if we don't give up, or quit, at the right time we will harvest a good crop.

Life is not always clear or fair. But God is always faithful. He will see us through the picked-over, picked-out moments of our lives!

Prayer: Lord God and wonderful Father, thank you that you are faithful. Thank you that you see and know us perfectly and can be trusted to "see us through" until we know and see You just as clearly. Bless us this day with your grace and strength to continue to walk by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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