See What Others Don’t

Being a person of prayer allows you to see things from God’s perspective. Others who do not spend time with the Lord interpret the world around them differently - mistakenly. We see this principle in effect at the incarnation of Christ. 

Only a handful of people perceived the history-changing moment in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. Most everyone missed it. Two of the people who were able to recognize our Savior as an infant were people of exceptional devotion.

When Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple to make an offering for Him, Simeon and Anna recognized the newborn King. Who was Simeon? He was “righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). And what about Anna? “She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37).

Living a long, faithful life of prayer pays off. Devotion to prayer will mean that you don’t have as much time for other worldly pursuits and that you don’t share the same appetite for the passing pleasures of this life like some of the people around you. But being a man or woman of God will allow you to see God; blessed are the pure in heart (Matthew 5:8). You will see what He is doing and where He is working when others do not.

May God bless our nation to be filled with masses of Simeons and Annas, who greet the work of God in our times.

Merry Christmas!

He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”
— Luke 2:28-32

Yours in Christ,

Chuck Hetzler, Ph.D.
Senior Associate, Christian Union Day and Night