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From
the August/September, 2002 edition of The Doulos monthly
newsletter
by
Jim Petelin
Fix
Your Eyes on What You Can't See
I was walking along the sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean holding the small,
delicate hand of my daughter, Hannah. We giggled and danced between the
splashing waves and enjoyed the warm sunshine. My heart soared as I thoroughly
enjoyed the moment. Instantly, I was transported back to the time I was a small
child and I remembered a similar time with my Dad. I recalled how safe I felt
when he was with me. I thought he was invincible - the toughest man alive. My
mind raced back to the present. Now, my Dad barely speaks -his speech is
limited to broken sentences and few understandable words. He hasn't known me
for almost two years. He is far from the "invincible" man I once
knew. He has Alzheimer's.
One moment, my heart soared as I danced between the waves of a beautiful ocean
with my little girl. The next moment, my heart wrenched in pain as I thought of
my father who is crippled by a horrific disease. I was sandwiched between two
very different emotions and circumstances. This experience seemed to be a
picture of what "life" on this earth is - good and bad. Again and
again, I wrestle with the proper perspective when dealing with the
"highs" and "lows".
I am very thankful and content for the "dancing in the waves"
experiences of this life, but what about my family and friends who are
suffering with horrible diseases? What about me when I get sick or experience
life changing setbacks?
In Philippians
4:11, God's perfect word tells me to "...be content whatever the
circumstances".
In Romans
5:3-5, God tells me: "Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out
his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
Also, in 2
Corinthians 4:16-18, He encourages me: "Therefore, we do not lose
heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed
day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an
eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is
seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen
is eternal."
I praise God that he encourages me with promises that are sure. Unlike the
experiences of this life that change from high to low and good to bad, our God
is unchanging. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and
forever" (Hebrews
13:8). He provides the right perspective when we struggle to see things
properly. If you are like me and struggle with poor vision/perspective,
remember.. .to fix your eyes on what is unseen, for it is eternal!
In Christ,
Jim Petelin
Editors
note: Jim's father passed away shortly after this article was
written.
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