For\u00a0now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then\u00a0face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known (1\u202fCorinthians 13:12, NKJV).<\/p>\n
It was late afternoon, and I sat in front of my computer screen, frustrated. I had spent most of the day in my office trying to put words to paper. What did I have to show for it? Nothing. No ideas flowed from my brain, through my fingers, and onto the screen. Outside it rained in sheets. Yet another dreary, rain-soaked winter\u2019s day here in western Oregon.<\/p>\n
Disgusted, I snapped up the window shade to glare at the downpour. That is when I saw it.<\/p>\n
One great shaft of sunshine had pierced through the clouds. With the sunburst, a brilliant rainbow spread itself across the lead-gray sky. Below this incredible scene, like a lush green carpet, lay the neighbor\u2019s ryegrass field. An unexpected joy surged over me, washing away my grumpy frame of mind.<\/p>\n
Then I noticed something unusual about this rainbow. It had no arc, no curve. I had never seen a rainbow like this one. It looked as though a massive invisible hand pressed down on the rainbow\u2019s curve, making it flat.<\/p>\n
Despite my dirt-covered office window, the rainbow looked magnificent. What a view! With its background of dark, gray clouds and green field, the rainbow provided an incredible photo opportunity. I grabbed my 35mm camera and quickly snapped photos of its flattened bands of brilliant blue, yellow, indigo, green, violet, and orange.<\/p>\n
While my camera clicked away, I realized how clear, how spectacular the developed photos would turn out \u2014 with a clean window. As I rejoiced in this rare experience, the Holy Spirit used the rainbow and my grime-smeared window to give me much needed spiritual insight.<\/p>\n
The window and the rainbow became symbols of those periods in my life when I could not sense my Savior\u2019s presence, could not feel His love for me or see<\/em> the Lord\u2019s work in my life. I was on one side of the opaque window. His love, beauty, and divine purpose for me were on the other side. I recalled the apostle Paul\u2019s famous words about love in 1\u202fCorinthians 13.<\/p>\n As background, Paul spends the greater part of chapter 12 reminding the church at Corinth of three truths: Christ-followers need to exercise their Holy Spirit-given gifts, allow for diversity of gifts, and strive to keep unity within the body of Christ. He ends the chapter with \u201cAnd yet I will show you the most excellent way\u201d (12:31).<\/p>\n That way is love. In chapter 13, Paul emphasizes that no matter what he said, thought, or did, it was worthless unless motivated by Christ\u2019s selfless love for others. He likens these worthless acts to a \u201cresounding gong or a clanging cymbal,\u201d then adds, \u201cI am nothing.\u202f.\u202f. . I gain nothing\u201d (vv.\u202f1-3). He reminds the Corinthian church that someday prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will cease, but Jesus\u2019 love for His sheep is eternal.<\/p>\n Paul admits that though now a mature man, he could not see, could not comprehend the magnitude, the power, and the purpose of Christ\u2019s love for him \u2014 much as I struggle to. He compared it to trying to see one\u2019s face while looking into a heavily tarnished mirror \u2014 or as it reads in the King James Version, through a darkened window.<\/p>\n Paul knew one day there would be nothing between him and his risen Lord. He would stand before Christ and finally see Him, face-to-face. Paul knew that then, and only then, would he understand everything<\/em>. He would have perfect knowledge, and he would finally experience the full power and immeasurable grace of his Savior\u2019s redemptive love. Paul assures the Corinthian believers this will be their future too.<\/p>\n I understand Paul\u2019s yearning to be in the presence of our Savior. I desire, more than anything else, to be face-to-face with the One perfect personification of God the Father\u2019s love for His children. This is my hope, my joy, and my future. Glory to God! Someday I will<\/em> be with Christ.<\/p>\n The Bible promises that this future also awaits all who have chosen Jesus Christ as their Savior. When that day comes, there will be no more straining to see our Lord through this world\u2019s dirty window. No more will we have doubt about His love for us. Most important, there will be no more waiting to see Him.<\/p>\n No longer will there be any curse.\u00a0The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face,\u00a0and his name will be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:3, 4).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For\u00a0now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then\u00a0face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known (1\u202fCorinthians 13:12, NKJV). It was late afternoon, and I sat in front of my computer screen, frustrated. I had spent most of the day in my office trying […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":617,"featured_media":30674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,2551],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeeing Jesus<\/h2>\n