Catching Glimpses

There is a true longing that aches in hearts of all who call upon the Lord in sincerity. A pining for justice and holiness to prevail amid the wickedness of our day. There’s a yearning for wrongs to be made right and purity to reign supreme. I often catch myself dropping my shoulders and letting out a heavy sigh when considering the world around us with its evils and horror. I consider the sinfulness that pervades our culture, churches, and even those we call pastors and teachers. It seems few recognize the need for a savior these days. Few look for Him and even fewer know how to look. It appears most of us have forgotten that our eyes were given to us for one purpose alone, to gaze upon the splendor of God Almighty. To observe Him in the firmament and take in His surpassing glory as He moves among us. Yet darkness pervasively covers the scene and I often utter the words of Habakkuk, “I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower and look out to see what he will say to me…”

“I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.”

Habakkuk 2:1 (ESV)

Almost two decades ago I composed a song entitled Catching Glimpses. Like much of my music, I wrote these words while in my prayer closet, looking for answers. For whatever reason, the song never made the cut on my subsequent records. We considered producing the music several times, but it just never quite made it. Now that we are back in the recording studio, we’ve finally had the chance to make it happen. My eldest son lent his skill with string instruments to compose the cello parts and together we finally pulled all the pieces together to complete the recording. Even after the song was finished, it sat on the tool bench until we finally felt it was ready to release. The song seeks to put into words those tender moments when God shows Himself in unexpected ways. Much like viewing an object in the peripheral vision, I’ve discovered the Holy Spirit often reveals secret truths to our hearts whenever we least expect them.

Have you ever noticed a young child who has lost his parents while playing at the park or walking around the market? We all know that familiar look of sheer panic and desperation. Tears pour from his eyes as he darts every which way frantically calling for his mommy. Concerned passersby try to calm and reassure as they attempt to ascertain where he last saw her. Rushing down aisles or between playground equipment the child refuses to be comforted until he finally catches site of his mom. His dirt smeared face lights up the moment he sees her as he rushes with open arms to her embrace.  I think this is often how we must look to our heavenly Father. Those of us who know the joy of being called sons of the Almighty, also know the panic that ensues when we have lost sight of Him. We fall to our knees, we call out His name, we search down pages of scripture and refuse to be comforted even by well-meaning fellow Christians. The tears are real, and desperation keenly felt as we frantically try to find Him. Countless saints have known this all too real fear. From Abraham to Job from David and even Christ Himself, the call rings through the ages, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” If you have never known this reality in your life, then you do not know Him. For all true disciples of Christ know what it is to walk closely with a living, breathing savior. And those who have such a relationship can’t help but cry out whenever we lose sight of Him for even just a moment. Yet, it’s in moments as these that God remains closest to our hearts. We catch a glimpse of Him and run with open arms to His embrace. We see Him and our eyes light up with surpassing joy at having been found by Him once more. These glimpses come to us by the Holy Spirit. We see them everywhere if we are always looking. Through the Word of God brought to memory while we sleep, the embrace of a brother or sister, or an apt reproof when we stray, Christ gives His children glimpses of His Glory. Let us grow sensitive to His presence, long for it, crave it so that our souls may be fed as we glimpse into eternity.

Glimpses of a velvet sky
The silence of a moonless night
All that I can see
And all you are

Autumn mornings and winter trees
The promise of a longer spring
I cleanse my eyes in tears
And hide from me

Chorus
I thought I saw You between the seven stars 
And I seem to never find You where You are
And I thought my time had run out
I thought that I had lost You somehow
Just catching glimpses

Glancing round on every side
I’m praying that I’ve prayed it right
I catch a sight of you
In the corner of my eye

Now I see this side of me
That tells me who I’m meant to be
The promise of your Love 
When I am free