Recognition
This word has a double meaning. On one hand, it means to see someone you’ve seen before. It also means to acknowledge someone or an accomplishment. I have to have good memory to recognize someone I’ve seen before. If I’ve only had an “acquaintance” relationship with someone, I’m not as likely to recognize them. If I’ve been close friends with them in the past, I’ll recognize them right away.
After Jesus death and resurrection, He appeared to His disciples a few times. They sometimes didn’t recognize Jesus and I think it was sometimes because Jesus wanted them to look closer. Check this out….
4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”
“No,” they replied.
6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. (John 21:4-9 NLT)
I want to recognize Jesus and His work in my life.
I want to recognize Jesus in the lives of others.
I want to recognize Jesus’ direction and counsel.
My daughter shared a new version of an old hymn that really blessed me. It’s performed by Natalie Grant with The Belonging from Nashville, TN. The bridge and chorus have become an anthem for my walk with the Lord.
“Look Up! Help is on the way!”
Turn your eyes upon Him
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
When you turn, turn your eyes upon Him”
I want to keep my eyes upon Him as I walk through this day and every day. He is my help. He is my hope. He is my dearest friend. He is my confidant. I want to recognize Him EVERY TIME.
Pressing On!
Dwayne