“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” — Ephesians 1:18-19a NIV

What we perceive is important. If I see something as blue, I will believe it is blue. If I see something that looks cold, I will believe it is cold. People may try to tell me otherwise, but I will lean on my vision and my perception. This is why it is important to see as Jesus sees. 

I remember sitting on my bed sobbing as the agony of hopelessness overwhelmed my body. I could not see the hope of a new day. All I could imagine was the despair and brokenness that I knew in the moment. Everything I had dreamed of, everything I had worked for, everything I had loved was in a precarious place, and it felt like I couldn’t even remember how to breathe. There would be no sudden miracle and no single moment of relief. It was a long winter that continued to get darker with each passing day, and this winter season in my life lasted for years. 

In this season, I remember the only way I could find relief was in the peace of God’s presence. It wasn’t in the declaration of a worship anthem or in the embrace of a friend. I wasn’t comforted by the words of a sermon or the hope of a promise. Only quiet moments with the Father could quiet this terrified heart, and in these moments, I began to see a new Spring as the eyes of my heart were enlightened.

He was beginning to shift my vision to see as He sees.

I could see glimpses of the hope of His calling on my life. Though I couldn’t fathom how it would look, I could sense His confidence in a future good that He had prepared for me. I could perceive the richness of life in Him.

I began to see the beauty of the Gospel at work in my life and the beauty and wealth of the fruit of His Spirit at work in believers around me.

And lastly, I recalled His power. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave could raise me from my winter tomb. There was life beyond the winter, but in the darkness and loneliness of the barren season, I had to sit with the Life-Giver and allow Him to open my eyes in new ways. His grace met me in my despair and sat with me until I could see clearly the hope of a new Spring. 

So what do you see?

In your winter, don’t try to force a vision of Spring. God may need to heal your vision first. You can’t force a blind person to see clearly. You have to restore vision. There is no shame in not being able to see hope, but there is opportunity for healing. Let Him open your eyes to see and perceive what is true. He is gentle and good. He knows the delicate state of your heart, and He knows how to lead you into true hope in a lasting and honest way. He won’t lie to you, and He won’t pacify you. He will remind you of the hope of your calling. He will show the richness of life in Him. He will reveal the incomparable power that is at work in your life for your good. He will do this with patience and love, not condemnation or judgement. 

The winter is ending, and the Spring is coming.

Here in the waiting, come away with Him, and let Him give you eyes to see the new season soon approaching. And when you see it, you’ll begin to believe it—there is hope.

- Eden Kroeger, Worship Lead