January 26

Looking on the Surface

"You are looking only on the surface of things." 2 Corinthians 10:7

We all tend to look only on the surface of things; that's the way the flesh is. It is hard for us, but we need to learn to exercise our spiritual minds to look past the surface of our experiences to what God is doing in our lives. When we go through painful experiences, it is difficult to see past the pain and the hurt to the work God is performing in our lives. Sometimes, the trial has been so severe and the pain so intense, that the only way to see past the surface is to look to Jesus. When we focus on Him, we can see through His light more clearly what God is doing. We then come to realize that the rain that is pelting us on the surface is also penetrating the soil of our lives and feeding us, causing us to grow and bear fruit. 2 Kings 19:30 tells us that which "takes root below" will "bear fruit above." We learn that we need to look not only below the surface but beyond the surface to what fruitage we will bear to His glory and honor. When life becomes difficult and you are tempted to look at the surface of things, remember to look below and beyond and know He is doing a good work in your life.

Father, help me to look past the storms of life and see what You are accomplishing in them. Help me to look beyond the surface of things and see the substance of what is being done in my life. Help us all to grow from the trials in our lives that we might bring You all the praise and honor and glory. Amen