Have you ever heard that expression? I have been told many times that I see the world with “rose colored glasses”. It’s lovely seeing the world that way but in the real world…

My husband and I got into a discussion yesterday about reality. I freely admit that I long for Jesus to return and His Kingdom to be set up in this world. Can you imagine? I love to imagine it…and then the news comes on and the reality of this world comes crashing down.

When you think about it we live in a world saturated in sin. People like to shy away from that word or conversely they use it to “righteously” beat others over the head. I think taking off “rose colored glasses” enables us to see the world as it really is. Can you name an area of the world where lies don’t affect anyone? Where stealing doesn’t harm anyone?

Several months ago I was talking with my granddaughter and she asked me why people hate God. I told her people don’t hate God necessarily they just don’t want to be told what to do. They want God to stay quarantined off in the distant heavens because “in the real world” we must live and function.

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

I realize all too well the “reality” of this present evil age. What encourages me is to realize that Jesus gave Himself for us dying on a cross to be buried but was raised again. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him”. At this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” John 20:11-16

Jesus said her name, Mary. And she knew He was there and that it was Him. Can you imagine her joy, her incredulity, her assurance that all He told them was true?

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Revelation 1:4-5

I have learned in what is called Spiritual Practices to delve deeper to draw near to God. One practice is to sit quietly. Still the racing thoughts and ask God to guide me. He does. I feel His peace settling over me and I feel a joy that is true and familiar. It’s His joy, His peace, His Presence.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I can take off my rose colored glasses because I know this present evil age…the real world… is not the true reality. Just as Jesus spoke to Mary, saying only her name, He speaks to me and to you and He is as real to me as He was to Mary standing outside that tomb. Open your eyes and your heart. He is there and He will never leave or forsake us.