Home Tools for your Journey April 7

Monday, April 7

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
—Psalm 17:15

We often think that we will only be able to see God after we close our eyes on this earthly life and make our way toward the eternity of heaven. We are told that certain biblical figures were able to see God, but we doubt that we would fit into their company. “Perhaps,” we tell ourselves, “it was only in times past that God could be seen, or perhaps those people had attained some kind of holiness that is beyond our grasp today. Or perhaps they only thought they saw God.”

Those ancient ones were really not very different from us except in one thing. They were more connected to the rudimentary elements of life; they were awake to the subtle alterations of goodness and righteousness within the daily round of earth's shadows and human silhouettes. They were startled by those alterations and stopped mid-step to turn aside and see what was swirling around them.

They knew they were in the presence of the Holy—that they were witnessing the likeness of God—and such knowledge made them swallow hard, and breathe in half-breaths. Sometimes their awe was so profound, they sought to hide their face.

We don't need to wait until death to see the face of God. We need only be attentive to the movement of goodness and righteousness that blows at will around the periphery of our lives. So, look for it. Every time you feel yourself beholding the likeness of God, your soul will be deeply satisfied.

O God, clear the blinders from my eyes that keep me unaware of the beauty of righteousness that is a sure sign of your likeness.