Looking Versus Seeing

I was walking through my neighborhood recently, enjoying a spring day. Since it’s azalea season, colorful azalea bushes popped out at me from many yards. At first, I was delighted to see so many azaleas in so many colors – coral, lavender, red, pink, and white. But as I continued my walk, the sheer number of bushes became overwhelming. I saw so many azaleas of various colors that I lost count of them, and as I stopped paying attention to them, the azaleas just blurred into the background while I walked.

Then, I saw a friend who was walking, as well. We stopped on the sidewalk to chat, standing right next to a stunning hot pink azalea bush. As we talked without rushing, my eyes drifted to the bush beside us. Instead of just glancing at the mass of color, I found myself focusing on a single cluster of flowers. I noticed the star shapes of each flower, the delicate dots and lines inside the petals, and the tiny stamens reaching out from the center. In those few moments of focused attention, I found myself filled with wonder at this masterpiece of God’s design. I wasn’t just looking at it; I was seeing it.

How much of God’s incredible work do we miss every day simply because we only look instead of see? Our world is filled with wonders to enjoy. Psalm 65:8 says of God: “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” But in our busy lives, we have to be intentional about paying attention to wonder, or we can easily miss noticing it. We often take common miracles – like seeing a sunset or hearing a chorus of birds singing – for granted.

Truly seeing something means engaging your senses and your mind. Think about the trees in your own yard or neighborhood park. Instead of just looking at a tree, try seeing it. Run your hand over the tree’s bark to experience what it feels like. Notice the shape of the tree’s leaves and the intricate pattern of veins branching out on them. Watch how the tree’s leaves and branches move when the wind blows. Sit under the tree, glance up to its crown, and enjoy seeing how sunlight filters through it. Every tree you encounter is a treasure of God’s engineering and artistry!

You can learn a lot about God’s wonder in nature when you try to really see what’s around you. Beyond nature, you can also find God’s wonder in many other places if you’re focused on seeing instead of just on looking. There is always something wonderful you can discover when you’re paying close attention. Paying attention like this day by day is an act of worship. It shows your faith in action because it shows God you’re expecting to see glimpses of his work in your life, anytime and anywhere.

So, this month, consider how you can spend less time passively looking and more time actively seeing. Be fully present as often as you can. Use your senses. Notice the details around you. Expect the best from God when you do so, and you’re sure to be inspired in new ways!

Read my latest Crosswalk.com articles and devotionals.

Learn more about experiencing God’s wonder in Wake Up to Wonder (order the paperback or the e-book) and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year (order the paperback or the e-book).

Blessings,

Whitney