By: Brandy Edenfield
We’ve all seen those Hidden Image pictures right? You know, the ones that appear to be one thing, but there is actually another image inside the picture. My husband is one of those people who can see the hidden image rather quickly. While I, on the other hand, could squint and cross my eyes a hundred different times and still never see the hidden picture. Even after he tells me what I’m looking for or he says things like “Concentrate. Look through the picture” (whatever that means, I still don’t know!). And to this day, I’ve never been able to see even one of those hidden images.
During the time that God was preparing my heart to write this blog, I was invited into two situations in the lives of two families close to mine in less than 24 hours. Initially both events stirred deep sadness and confusion in me. First, our close friends of 17 years reached out to Brian and I for counsel and direction, announcing their separation. We were shocked! These people love Jesus. They both say they still love each other. How does this happen?
Second, a call about a family friend whose 16-year-old daughter attempted to take her own life and is now in a coma on life support and the prognosis from the doctors isn’t good. My heart physically hurt for this poor mother who was reeling with fear and guilt. And what compounded my hurt for her is that this family doesn’t know Jesus, so these parents are facing this without the hope and peace that He alone gives us in a crisis.
My heart was breaking for these two families. I had so many questions. I needed to get with God. I needed to ask Him why? Where was He in this? How could these awful things be happening on His watch?
So you can imagine my surprise when God began to reminded me of these frustrating pictures. I began asking Him how these pictures relate to Him and to us? And though my human mind will never fully understand His ways, here is what I feel He showed me: God sees everything from a very different view point than we do. A much bigger picture. Our view is like someone who’s standing inside a massive fore. His is from that of one looking over the top of a miniature model of a forest. Yet it’s the same forest.
My human eye sees the hurt, the fear and the sadness. I even sometimes perceive from my view that the enemy is winning. I can not see from His view, but I can imagine some possibilities: the broken marriages that our friends will help repair through their testimony of restoration. Or how their children will have healthier marriages because of the communication and commitment that was demonstrated for them by their parents. Or the new level of joy and ministry God wants to take them to.
Or the salvation of an entire family who were completely lost and without hope before a crisis showed them they couldn’t make it without Him. Or a healed 16 year old, that uses her life to speak to other girls battling thoughts of suicide and depression and the lives saved because of her work. Or maybe even just renewed and restored relationships in their home.
We won’t know until we get to Heaven how our lives and the lives of others have all been woven together to create His perfect picture. On this earth, we are similar to me with those hidden image picture. Our questions of “why?” or “how?” or “what if?” are equivalent to me squinting and crossing my eyes. We are unable to see the bigger picture from where we stand. We can’t see it yet. Not here. But, He is God and He is good. One day we will see the intricate ways He used the details and the hurts in our lives to bring more people to Him. By faith we believe in the HIDDEN IMAGE.
Scripture for Meditation
“ The Lord looks from Heaven: He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth.” ~ Psalms 33:13-14 (NKJV)
Hey Brandy,
Just yesterday I thinking of you and praying for you and I said to myself: I hope that Brandy uses some of her down time to write a few blogs. You are just so gifted to do so. We discussed our giftings from God in our meeting today and how we become a gift when we use the gifts God gives us. You are a gift in so many ways! But this is one that is visible to everyone. You write like a professional but at the same time it makes me feel like we are having a chat over a cup of coffee. Just delightful but also profound, throught- provoking and challenging but giving truth and hope at the same time. Many blessings and keep the blogs rolling!!
Thank you so much for this new perspective 🙂 I have had many moments that I ask where God is in a situation and have always leaned on the thought of He knows the ” bigger picture “. Although that is a good thing, I never viewed from the perspective of a “hidden picture” which for me makes it even more intimate! I too have never been able to see those “hidden pictures” but it is comforting to know my God can and He has placed such a gift in you to deliver His message!
Beautiful Brandy. Wonderful insight and bless you for sharing.