Peering through the mist

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

The Message paraphrases that verse this way – “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!”

My wife and I recently watched a documentary on the life of Fanny Crosby. What amazing faith this woman had. She is the most prolific writer of hymns and gospel songs who ever lived. It’s estimated she wrote over 10,000 songs in her lifetime. More than 100 million copies have been printed of her songs. And what’s even more amazing is that she was blind from shortly after birth.

If you don’t recognize her name, you surely recognize some of her songs … “Blessed Assurance,” “Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior,” “Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home,” “To God Be the Glory” and “Praise Him, Praise Him.”

In Fanny Crosby’s songs, you get the sense that she knew God, not fully, but knew Him and His heart well. She could not see the world as we see it because of her blindness, as if squinting in a fog, peering through the mist. Yet she had a profound understanding and relationship with God.

Perhaps your world feels a bit foggy, a bit misty. It seems hard to see where the future is going with COVID, political divisiveness, perhaps an illness you’re struggling with or a relationship you’re struggling with. The way forward seems foggy as you struggle with seasonal depression. But there are ways to see more clearly.

Fanny Crosby was a student of the Bible and had a deep prayer life. One part of the song “To God Be the Glory” says, “Great things he has taught us, great things he has done.

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son

But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our worship, when Jesus we see.”

Rooting ourselves in the Word of God, having daily times of prayer – those and other spiritual practices help us peer through the mist of our current circumstances to see Jesus.

We won’t know God fully as He knows us until He calls us home but we can grow, day-by-day, in knowing Him more and more this side of eternity. Stay diligent in your Bible reading, increase your frequency and intensity of prayer. Establish healthy, daily rhythms of spiritual practice. And greater will be your wonder, your worship, when Jesus you see.