Last week, my five-year-old grandson came to my house to play Wii bowling. Yes, it’s the dinosaur of electronic games and despite its age, in excellent working order. My sweet boy wanted to first play alone, then later with me, “to practice” and improve to compete with family members. I had stepped away to refill my coffee mug when I heard, “Nonni, come here. Look at me! See what I did!””
He paused the screen, and when I walked into the room, he pointed with a smile. The word “strike” was frozen across the screen. “Wonderful!” I exclaimed. My smile was as broad as his.
“Look at me.”
I’ve heard God shout those words to me or speak them in a gentle whisper many times in my life: facing a dilemma, struggling in a life season, watching a loved one make poor choices, or waiting on unanswered prayer.
I’m not alone. We all have times of disappointments, waiting, and wondering. We may be exasperated and breathless from continued prayer, but then a situation gets worse instead of better. Or there is silence. Perhaps we take matters into our hands, and our expedient solution doesn’t fix the situation but complicates it. Perhaps we choose the good over the best. Or we crumble in the struggle and pursue an unhealthy path.
God calls us, “Come here. Look at Me.”
It’s such an important invitation He repeats those thoughts in different ways to get our attention for a variety of life struggles:
- For strength to continue, (that challenging relationship, physical and emotional fatigue?) He invites: “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always,” is in Psalm 105:4 NIV and 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV.
- For renewed confidence that God’s ways are best.(the disappointment, broken trust?) He says, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10 NIV
- For joining my heart with His, He gives opportunity (releasing my preferences and plans?): “My heart says this about you: ‘Seek his face.’ Lord, I will seek your face” (Psalm 27:8 NIV).
- For direction in puzzling and unknown situations, (new places, the future?) He encourages, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message).
- For hope, He offers, (no improvement or visible change?) “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”( Isaiah 40:31NIV)
- For wisdom (confused and uncertain?): “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)
In gentle kindness, God tells us the benefits of coming and looking.
Instead of
- running in circles, He offers rest.
- fear, He promises His presence.
- uncertainty, He offers direction.
- my way, He offers His heart
- settling, He offers His confidence
In nearly closing out the month of April, some see 2021 as a sequel to 2020. Normal has not returned as we had hoped, but life always has challenges apart from the pandemic: relationships, health, prodigals, changes, finances. The call “Come, look at Me” is there every day, in all seasons, throughout our lifetime.
My grandson said, “See what I did.” When we accept God’s invitation we can always answer, “I’ll tell you what God did. He was faithful.”
Which part of coming and looking have you seen in your life? How have you seen His faithful response? What part do you need today?
Before you step away, take time to listen to this song “Abba,” a beautiful song about intimacy with our Abba, Father. written and sung by my friend Erin Griffin. Head over to her site with the Brown Family Ministries and as you linger, be blessed.
So much to love about this post Ms. Marilyn. Thank you so much ma’am. I couldn’t help but think also of the many times in my life when I’ve cried out “Look at me God!” Oh, how many times have we felt “invisible”, as though no one can see us, how we don’t matter. What peace God brings when we cry out “Look at me!” and He responds with a broad smile, saying “I’m right here beloved child.” You’ve brought great peace to my day ma’am. God’s blessings; and thank you
Oh my–that invisibility piece in this discussion brings in another dimension. When we feel we don’t measure up to expectations or are overlooked, we can with certainty look at God who notices and loves us always. Thank you, Marilyn
Marilyn, I love this analogy between your grandson and God saying “Look at me!” This reminds me of Peter walking on the water so successfully until he took his eyes off Jesus. How often I take my eyes off the Lord and need to be reminded again where to direct my gaze. Thank you for this great reminder today!
Welcome to my blog and site. Thanks for joining the conversation and yes, Peter is one of the best visuals we have of the “cost” of taking our eyes off Jesus. Thank you for adding value to this topic. Marilyn
What a beautiful post. Come, look at Me! May we all come and see. We will be changed for having done so. God bless!
Thanks Nancy. Glad to have you in our conversations. Yes, we are changed in His presence personal transformation and perspective. Mariyn
Beautiful reminder that God looks at us differently than we see ourselves. He sees us through His righteousness and not our faults. He is the Father bragging on His children. He is faithful even when we are not.
Marilyn, thank you for this beautiful post which reminds us to look to God in trust. I appreciate the verses you included and the “Instead of” list. I’m printing this post to keep.
Thanks jeannie.
Your inspiring message is just what I needed today, Marilyn. “Come and look,” you said–reminding me that those words are God’s message to me. He will grant me peace in my despair, comfort in my grief, and joy in my sorrow. But, I must “come and look”–seek Him in order to receive. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Katherine. So often I look horizontally often in disappointment, but a vertical view always gives peace–not necessarily resolution, but new confidence and peace. Marilyn
Whatever we need, He will supply it. We only have to turn to Him. It sounds simple, but it isn’t always because we’re human and imperfect. I’ve often said that children are life’s greatest teachers!
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! We are to look at Him and be saved and satisfied.
I’m reminded of the one prerequisite necessary to go look, the first step. So often taking the first step toward God is hindered with procrastination, or maybe thoughts about how unworthy we are. But God… His love conquers all of that if we simply take that step. Draw near to me and I’ll come closer to you. What a promise!
Amen-and all His promises are “yes!”.