June 12, 2002

W.I.G.S.?

                        The popular acronym, WWJD, has been around for several years.  It’s a good one.  What Would Jesus Do?  A good question to ask when contemplating any plan of action.

             I have another one.  I think we should make bracelets and jewelry to remind us of a different question to ask when facing all circumstances.  WIGS?  What Is God Seeing?

             I happened across this question in the past few weeks as I’ve thought about situations that make me go, “hmmm.”  Those circumstances that appear wrong, upside down and sideways.  That frustrate us and anger us and make us cry and challenge our faith.  I’ve realized that our first impression of those is nearly always from a human perspective.  And that the human perspective never gives us ability to see what is really happening.  Only God’s eternal perspective gives us the ability to see the true picture.  Thus, “What Is God Seeing?” is the question to ask.

             The king of Aram was ticked at Elisha, (2 Kings 6).  His majesty was trying to defeat the nation of Israel and Elisha continually warned the king of Israel.  When the army of Aram set an ambush, Elisha warned Israel.  When Aram planned to attack, Israel knew of it because of Elisha.  The king of Aram became so enraged he gathered his leaders and asked, “Which one of us is on the side of Israel?”  "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."

            Now you would think, wouldn’t you, that since Elisha had demonstrated such incredible ability his majesty would pause just a bit before charging headlong against such a prophet.  Nope.  The king of Aram immediately sent troops to capture Elisha.  The prophet’s servant woke up the next day to see the chariots and horses of Aram surrounding the city.  "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. 

             Press pause for a second.  What was the servant seeing?  Horses, chariots, soldiers, danger, impossible odds.  Were they real?  No question.  The result was fear and panic.  He thought it was over, curtains for them all.

             Back to the story.  Elisha seemed far too calm.  Instead of fear he exuded confidence.  Unruffled, he replied, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

             Press pause again.  What did Elisha see?  Soldiers, chariots and horses AND horses and chariots of fire straight from Heaven.  I wish I could have seen the look on the servant’s face!  That would have been priceless.  Were the horses and chariots of fire real?  Oh, yeah.  Just as real as the army of Aram.  Why could Elisha see both armies?  Because Elisha was seeing what God sees.  When God opened the servant’s spiritual eyes, he saw what God sees. 

             Most of the time we only see part of the picture.  Not even the best part.  Because we are only viewing what we can touch.  The human perspective.  Pretty stupid, huh?  Yep.  Me, too.  This is where the acronym comes in.  When we look at life, we need to ask WIGS -- What is God seeing?  Then we need to pray as Elisha, “Open our eyes so we may see.”  When we do, God will pick us up, put us on His shoulders to see our lives as He sees them.  The big picture.  Not all the details and results, we are finite after all.  But enough of His eternal perspective to give us confidence and trust in Him no matter what we’re facing.

             So what are you seeing these days?  What are the soldiers of Aram in your life?  Would you like to be flattened by fear and panic, or would you like to watch unruffled as the forces of heaven are unleashed into your life?  I thought so.  Then ask … WIGS?  And allow God to open your spiritual eyes. 

 For the rest of the story read 2 Kings 6:8-23.