J40: Do you see anything?

"I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, [he describes the vision from God]...And I alone saw the vision, for men who were with me did not see...they trembled and fled to hide themselves." Daniel 10:4

"At that time there were many who stood alongside Daniel, but they did not see the vision, for they were not worthy." Hippolytus, Commentary on Daniel, 4.38.3.

In a charming account by Annie Dillard, she is accompanied on one of her favorite walks by a visiting acquaintance. Imagine her astonishment, when on such a familiar route, her companion throws himself to his knees in excitement and gushes enthusiastically over the different varieties of ants they encounter. Annie, a perceptive and spiritual person, had no idea what emotional treasure lay in her path...

This is no criticism of Annie -- there can not be many who have both prepared themselves to perceive, and also look with expectation, for varieties of ants.

If we want to be delighted by ants, we best study them, and then look intently for them, or we will never experience the intense joy of Annie's companion.

There are not many like Daniel, who both studied, and looked.

My prayer today: Oh Lord of all, let me know you better! Help me to set my affections on things above, to have both head knowledge and heart knowledge of Your ways. And help me to look for You on my paths, be they old familiar ones or new journeys. May I never hide from you, when you wish to appear to me, but to run TO You as fast as I am able.

Annie Dillard, "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," Harper's, 1974

3/15/2020