Eyes on Eternity - 30 Days of Thankfulness

Every day, I find myself refocusing my eyes. I’ve tried bifocals, trifocals, progressive lenses, and everything else the opticians can propose. Most of the time, I search all over for my reading glasses, only to find them stuck atop my own head.

The real issue is not about eyesight, anyway.

True vision seems to have little to do with our eyes and more to do with our perspective.

I’ve seen this firsthand, because I’ve been blind, or nearly so. (Here’s that story: Optic Neuritis: A Look at Sudden Blindness.)  I know the scary sensation of struggling to see. And I know the head-to-toe happiness of healing, having found my vision restored.

 But enough about eyesight.

Vision and perspective depend upon focus. When we focus on facts, we face frustrations. When we focus on feelings, we grow flustered. When we focus on our foibles (or those of others), we falter at futility.

I’d bet this doesn’t surprise the Father at all.

The Apostle Paul said this about focus.

Things that are seen don't last forever,

but things that are not seen are eternal.

This is why we keep our minds

on the things that cannot be seen.

2 Corinthians 4:18, CEV

I want to see more clearly. I’d love to read without glasses and to look at long-distance sights without squinting.

But, still more, I’d love to see God. I want to catch His vision for the world. I’m eager to grab onto His eternal perspective.

I want to see what cannot be seen.

I’m thankful God can help us set our eyes on eternity.

Take off my blinders, Lord. Life really is a whole lot bigger than the stuff I’m trying to spot. I’m craving a peek.

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Bright Eyes by Franchasar

Creative Commons Licensing

Wikipedia Commons Photos

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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Danger-free Decisions - 30 Days of Thankfulness

The faithful are divided, but maybe that’s OK.

Election Day is coming in America, and citizens are taking sides. Many have already cast their ballots in early or absentee voting.

Sure, folks feel strongly about their chosen candidates. Signs appear all over, and posts proliferate online.

But I’m grateful.

I’m thankful for danger-free decisions in our great nation.

Sure, pundits from both parties may trumpet the dangers of electing the wrong candidates. And their arguments may be merited.

Still, we have the opportunity to cast our votes freely. We can speak up without worrying about our safety, our children, or our homes.

When I visit the polling place on Election Day, no armed guard will look over my shoulder to see how I vote. No one will take away my job for the way I punch my ballot. It’s private. It’s protected. It’s personal.

And it’s free.

Here’s the best part. If I don’t like the candidates that win, I will have a chance to vote him or her out in a few years.

Yep, I’m thankful for danger-free decisions.

I’m praying for the outcome of the elections. What’s more, I’ll be praying for those elected, as they assume their new positions.

God knows – they’re gonna need it.

The first thing I want you to do is pray.

Pray every way you know how,

for everyone you know.

Pray especially for rulers

and their governments to rule well

so we can be quietly

about our business of living simply,

in humble contemplation.

This is the way our Savior God

wants us to live.

1 Timothy 2:1-3, MSG

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Voting Sign by Tom Arthur

Creative Commons Licensing

Wikipedia Commons Photos

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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The Creator’s Comfort - 30 Days of Thankfulness

I love my comforter.

Winter is coming to the Upper Midwest. The sky is darker, and days are shorter. Cold winds blow through my street and my spirit at this time of year.

Sometimes, I think I’d rather just curl up with my comforter and catch a few thousand sets of forty winks, instead of piling on layers of winter wear and facing the season.

But the real Comforter calls.

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
    They will enter Jerusalem singing,
    crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
    and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.
    So why are you afraid of mere humans,
    who wither like the grass and disappear?

Isaiah 51:11-12, NLT

God Himself is our Comforter, especially during the bleakest seasons and the darkest days of our lives.

I rediscovered this recently and personally, walking through a tunnel of trial. Maybe you did too.

Slogging my way through a season of struggle with a chronic and progressively disabling health condition, I was stunned to learn of the death of a loved one in our extended family.

The news devastated the entire clan, both for the current loss and for his passing near the second anniversary of the death of another dear one in the family. In fact, we had lost five loved ones (from both sides of the family) around the same time over the past several years.

I’m not sure anyone in our church even knew of the tragedy.

For health reasons, I haven’t exactly been a regular participant at worship services. It’s amazing how easily we can become unplugged when we don’t show up often. Unfortunately, medical concerns have kept me lately from the high-amp setting of particularly exuberant and enthusiastic gatherings. The mix is simply dangerous for me.

Close friends rallied around our family, as we grieved. Colleagues and comrades came to honor the one we had lost. Others penned notes of encouragement and love, both on paper and online.

Certainly, we appreciated the sympathy and support from these fine folks.

But the ultimate comfort came on a much closer level, as the Holy One touched hearts where no one else could.

I am thankful for the Comforter.

God sees into the hidden corners of our deepest sorrows. His hand reaches into our hurts. And He holds us when we cannot hold up our own heads.

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Passer-payez - by Leo Leopold Boilly

1803

Public Domain Artwork – copyright expired

Wikipedia Commons Photos

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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