Perceiving

The parables which Jesus’ taught reveal that appearances are not always true. There is always a deeper meaning to what is seen or heard. There is always more than what the human mind perceives. He explained this to his disciples in Matthew 13: 13-15. “This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’”

I do not want to have a calloused heart that never perceives what the Holy Spirit wishes to impart. I want to perceive with an open heart, ears, eyes, and mind. How I long for Him to see in me the quality He saw in His disciples! “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:16-17).

Help, me, Lord, to be your child who, with an open heart and mind, sees with your eyes, hears with your ears, and understands with the power of the Holy Spirit. I never want to live through another person's faith. I want to live my own faith. I want to hear from you. This is where my surrender is born. This is where the enemy will also attack me, not only with his lies and distortions, but with feelings of inadequacy in my attempt. But, Lord, I will hang on, and not give up. I will give you my heart, and seek you. I will find your breath of life in the Word, and it shall renew my dry bones. I will perceive what you have for me. If I see, hear, and understand what you are speaking to me, then I will be healed of everything that hinders me from my potential in you. I will become the person you created me to be.