“The reason our intentions often blind us is that they become lenses we look through to interpret our behavior. When we look through our good intentions, even our failures are given a rose-colored shading. When our intent feels strong, we blind ourselves to how broken and even sinful our actions really are. . . . Our intentions can easily numb us to our desperate need for grace.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
In Chapter 10 (“Walking the Path Ahead”), the final chapter of When God Seems Distant, Kyle Strobel and John Coe underscore that Scripture calls us to a life of holiness and love. And we live this life by grace through faith in the truth of who we are. Hence, the calling of our unique training consists of undertaking life in the presence of God. And for the presence of God.
However, when we interpret our experience of life with God through our intentions and expectations, we feel much confusion. As a result, our intentions often blind us. Because those intentions function as the lenses we look through to interpret our behavior.
Furthermore, like our intentions, our expectations color our experiences. Thus, they often lead us away from interpreting our experiences by faith. So, they often lead us away from Jesus rather than to rest in Him.
In conclusion, Kyle and John counsel:
“As we grow, the Lord leads us to trust that we are safest in his hands and plans and not our own. He knows our fears, worries, joys, loves, and struggles, and he is not afraid of them as we are. . . . He calls us by name in the truth of our life. . . calls us to abide in him, to come and draw deeply from a well that never runs dry, especially when our hearts feel dry as dust.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help the most when our intentions blind us? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Desolation: an invitation to abide”