Paul tells us that we “know in part,” “see as a child,” and only know or see through a dark smokey glass (1 Cor. 13); somehow this gives me comfort. It soothes my “need to know,” my obsession with “being right.”
My certainty gives way to the reality that alone I remain “childish, and lacking.” Rather than trying to see it all, I am encouraged to ask others “what do you see?” What do you know?
In a world that seems to argue about everything, in a society that is convinced that somehow they have the “best or right” way I find comfort in knowing that my “knowing” is partial. I need to see, (or at least be willing to see) what another sees.
I am not afraid of differences or diversity. I am concerned about “division.” Division that is the results of a divided people who only see through the dark lens of their perception, prejudice, or preference!
As I ride the subway or walk through the city I realize that people are wearing sunglasses not to keep the sun out (it’s not), but to keep others from seeing into their own eyes.
Only when we are ready to let go of the glasses that we have placed on our own face will we be able to see into the face of others. It is here in this “face to face” reality that our sight will expand, that our knowledge will increase, and the perfect will be known.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12).
Only when the “Love” with which we are loved is revealed to our neighbors, and our enemies will we really know what we think we know. Only then will our partial knowledge give way to the fullness that we so hunger for.
So, I take off my own glasses and I confess; “I know in part,” “I see as a child.” My prayer is that I would see the faces of others and that in their face I would find “His.”
Lord, help me to see! To have the faith to look into the faces of those around me. To see what I need to see…. You!
