“Divine double takes are odd and mysterious and wondrous. At times they start with a simple, unexplained urge to take a second look at someone, and it’s not because the person stands out in any natural sense. . . . Sometimes you find yourself looking again at someone because love takes over your eyes. It’s holy.”- Alan Wright
“Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, [a man lame from birth] asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ “- Acts 3:3-4 (ESV)
In Chapter 8 (“Healing: Seeing Miracles in the Making”) of Seeing as Jesus Sees, Alan Wright underscores that ministry isn’t something we do for Jesus. Instead, ministry is what we do with Jesus. Or, as Henry Blackaby put it in Experiencing God (1998):
“[God] does not invite us to set magnificent goals and then pray He will help us achieve them.”
Rather, Pastor Wright reminds us, we gain better spiritual vision step by step through an ongoing process of spiritual growth. During this process we practice asking the Lord for His eyes in every situation.
Furthermore, Alan notes, two very different New Testament Greek words describe how we can be filled with the Holy Spirit:
- pleroo – describes infilling as a slow saturation. Thus, this type of infilling is progressive and abiding. Rather than instant or temporary. Pleroo denotes the Spirit’s abiding presence within us.
- pletho – refers to a sudden, temporary infilling. For example, the Holy Spirit came upon Peter for sudden, temporary, powerful revelation. When he directed his gaze at the lame beggar.
In conclusion, Pastor Wright counsels:
“Ministry isn’t our attempt to meet someone’s needs. Ministry is our participation in God’s power moment by moment as He leads. That’s why life-changing ministry flows from seeing others as Jesus sees them. . . . What if you began aligning your thoughts, words, and deed toward others based on how Jesus sees them?”
Today’s question: When have you experienced divine double takes? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Suitable object for our wrath?”
