Issue 951 – Far Sighted – January 3, 2023

It was a dark and stormy night, a touch cliche for sure, but true nonetheless. The storm clouds largely blocked out what little moonlight there had been, and I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.

Off in the distance was my destination; just across the lake, I could see the light from the campfire. I stumbled off in that direction.

I could see things happening across the lake but not right in front of my face. 

As Christians, we’re often just as farsighted in our faith walk. 

We focus on heaven and the joy when we sit at the Master’s feet. There’s no doubt that seeing Him face to face will be fantastic, but when that’s all we think of, we miss out. We’ve probably all heard the cliché “He’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good” and may even know people like that. 

They have their salvation, are looking forward to heaven and don’t live life day by day. They’re so farsighted that they miss the beauty of every day.

Christianity is more than just going to heaven. It’s about living our lives day to day empowered by Jesus. It’s about being gifted by Holy Spirit and living lives that are attractive to others who are hurting.

Many people couldn’t care less about what happens after they die because life overwhelms them today, and that’s all they can cope with. They want to see a way of dealing with life as it happens moment by moment; they’ll worry about death when it happens.

God doesn’t take us home the instant we convert. That says to me that He has a reason for leaving us here.

He’s left us to love others, not just to sit and pine for the afterlife. 

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

He’s left us to shine His light in a dark and hurting world. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 

Where are you looking? Are you looking strictly up to heaven and missing out on what God has given you to do here?

The Lord gives us the gift of life, and we get one chance to do it right. Make the most of yours.

Until next time, may your vision enable you to keep sight of the glory to come and meet the needs of the present.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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