How many of you enjoy people watching? I sure do. Not in a creepy way. Lol. Not even in a covetous way. Mostly out of curiosity.
Yesterday, while sitting at a table in a local restaurant, I noticed a young woman seated at the table near me, facing the fireplace. Her back was to me while she busily worked on her laptop. I wondered what her story was, what she was working on, and how long she had been there. I then imagined my own story about her. When she finally turned around, the whole story I had spun in my mind changed when I saw her face, at which time I decided she was a medical student working on a paper.
The powers of observation… In my case, I was building a story based on the implements this woman had and her approach to working. Yet when I saw her face and manner, I matched those observations with the new information, which altered my narrative. Indeed, MY narrative… I still didn’t have the complete picture of this woman: her history, her hopes and dreams, her likes and dislikes, her character.
We do this too often. Whether an incidental interaction with a stranger or a meeting with new people, we create an account in our minds that isn’t a complete picture of who the person really is. Sometimes we judge too harshly. At other times, we aren’t as discerning, which could lead to trouble down the road. In either case, people are so much more
than their appearances, jobs, or manner…
Each one of us has a hidden truth that influences who we are as people. A circumstance that may have molded us into the person we are. For some, it may have been trauma, for others, it may have been a very loving family. Whatever the case, these hidden truths can either debilitate us or empower us.
As Believers, we have a hidden Truth that lives inside of us, the Holy Spirit. He moves in us to walk as Jesus walked, to love as Jesus loves, and to live for God’s glory. Sometimes that hidden Truth moves in mysterious ways, NOT as you’d expect, ESPECIALLY if you based it on initial appearances. BUT how it plays out is the story that matters.
I wonder if our approach to understanding Bible characters would be more enhanced if we didn’t just observe at the surface, but instead searched for the hidden truths that would impart a deeper perspective on them as people and why God used them.
Let’s take a look at the hidden truths of three Bible characters and how these truths served as catalysts in their lives, and how we might be encouraged by them.
PETER: Don’t look at the waves! You’ll Sink!
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”Jesus says, "Come." Peter then gets out of the boat and walks on the water to go toward Jesus. When Peter sees the strong wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" and Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and catches him. Matthew 14:27-31
Of all the disciples, Peter was considered arrogant due to his impulsiveness, overconfidence, and outspoken nature. Even in this Bible story, we see Peter impulsively asking Jesus to draw him to Himself on the water. I would imagine, once he started walking and saw the waves, he had a “What was I thinking??” moment that turned into a very humbling “come to Jesus” moment as he began to sink and had no choice but to cry out to Jesus to save him.
This experience molded Peter into the Apostle whom God founded the church upon, all due to his increased faith, ability to stay focused on Jesus, and, most especially, a deeper understanding of the need to rely on God’s strength alone. This hidden truth prepared Peter for the role he would play in not only leading God’s church but also in spreading the Gospel with courageous determination.
What can we learn from Peter’s hidden truth?
When our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, no matter how daunting our circumstances may seem, He will sustain us and guide us. He is our Heavenly Father. We need not fear. Just as when we were small children, with our dads around, we felt safe. The Lord IS our ever-present help - we ARE safe.
When we step out in faith, wholly trust the Lord, and set aside our own concerns, we can accomplish anything that God has called us to do.
We learned that our true strength comes from surrendering to the Lord and allowing Him to work through us.
PAUL: The Direction You are Going May not be God’s Best for You
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:1-6
Before his conversion, Paul was a self-described zealot for the traditions of his fathers. He felt he was doing the right thing for God by protecting the Jewish traditions. As a result, he set out to destroy anyone who got in the way of his mission.
But God… He stopped Saul in his tracks and redirected his steps. The very steps Saul thought were the best were the ones that led Paul to course-correct and follow Jesus through his encounter with Him on the road to Damascus. Not only that, but God also redeemed this hidden truth in the Apostle Paul’s life, for he was now zealous for Jesus and the Gospel.
Paul’s hidden truth showcases a scenario where being a rule follower goes awry. It’s funny because I am a definite rule follower, and I’ve always viewed myself as doing the right thing. Indeed, I have not gone out persecuting Christians in the name of rule following. BUT, as a Believer, following rules can actually be a stumbling block. Let me explain…
As Believers, we have been set free by the blood of the Lamb. We are no longer under the rule of law, but the rule of Grace. We want to be sure that our heart posture for going to church, prayer, spending time in the Word, ministry, etc., is all being done not just to tick items off our “spiritual rule checklist”, but with intention and love for the Lord. Because if our hearts are not in it, we are simply going through the motions, which boils down to religion. When we are doing these things in communion with the Lord, it’s about a relationship.
Rules are good. We need to be sure to check our hearts when it comes to rule following.
ABRAHAM: Even though it doesn’t Make Sense, Do It!
“Some time later, God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”... When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up, and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.“ Genesis 22:1-2; 9-13
Can you even imagine??? Being asked to sacrifice your son. Abraham had such faith in God that he was going to go through with it. Some speculate that he assumed God could raise his son from the dead. Although I’m not sure there has been any history of
that just yet. Whatever the case, Abraham believed that God would provide. And indeed He did, at JUST the moment Abraham was going to slay his son, the angel of the Lord stopped him. Abraham looked, and there in the thicket was the lamb for the sacrifice. As a result, the Lord said that because he did not withhold his only son, he would surely bless him and make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.
This hidden truth is a pivotal part of the many chapters of Abraham’s story. This act of obedience caused God to doubly bless him and his descendants - a blessing that even modern-day Christians partake in. Had Abraham decided the request was too outrageous and didn’t move forward in faith, those blessings would not have come. Just let that sink in…
Abraham’s hidden truth teaches us that the Lord will only call us to do something that He will be with us in, AND that He will certainly provide for - even if what He is asking doesn’t make sense to us. It could be picking up and moving to another state where you feel the Lord is calling you to ministry. It could be quitting a job for reasons that go
against your Christian identity. It could be ending what appears to be a perfect relationship, but you know deep down it’s not right. It could be accepting a ministry position you feel you aren’t qualified for. Whatever the case, when you trust the Lord’s provision and not the fact that it doesn’t make sense to you, you WILL be blessed, AND you may be blessing others in turn.
Dear Lord, thank you for these Saints of old and their hidden truths that continue to encourage us even today, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Which one of the above Bible characters’ stories can you relate to? Whose lessons can you implement in your situation?
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