Say what you see…

That is the catchphrase for a TV programme of the same name, Catchphrase…Say what you see..what is the picture on the screen telling you. The contestant’s wild guesses used to lead to much laughter.

Some of the pictures were so obvious that you could get them straight away and would be shouting the answers at the TV as the poor contestant was totally bemused. What was obvious to one however was not so obvious to another. When the eventual answer was given you could almost hear the groans..why didn’t I see the answer. It’s so obvious.

It’s interesting that after God has called Jeremiah, the prophet, He tested him. We read in Jeremiah 1:11 & 13.

“Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”

And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

Jeremiah was asked by God to say what he saw and did just that. He was plain speaking. He didn’t try to embellish or exaggerate or add to the picture. Jeremiah simply said what he saw.

God asked Jeremiah again …What do you see?

“And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”

And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.”

God was pleased with both responses. Jeremiah had seen correctly and God told him so.

It was God that provided the interpretation of the visions to Jeremiah.

Note that God didn’t ask Jeremiah to interpret the vision..that was what God would do.

Jeremiah simply had to tell God what he saw in the vision. He was not asked to provide the interpretation.

Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of this simple truth. Let us do only what God asks us to do with the spiritual gift or gifts He has given.

If God gives us a picture, vision or dream to share then share it as seen. If it seems simple then let it be simple. There is a trap of other’s expectation sometimes or of pride to add to, embellish or exaggerate to make things seem more exciting or interesting. The flesh can easily creep in. Let the vision then be weighed and tested by other believers.

If we don’t have the interpretation, especially after asking the Lord, then don’t attempt the interpretation. Leave the interpretation for the Lord to bring through someone operating in that gift to then be weighed and tested.

It is no shame but wisdom to say you do not have the interpretation if asked. Don’t feel pressurised to think you know what the Lord is saying or guess. Trust the Lord to bring the revelation.

Have a blessed day friends.