2002-08-16 - Perspective

Encore from 1996-10-04

If you are like me, you sometimes lose sight of perspective. You focus too much on the here and now, which is only a blip on the screen of eternity. I was recently visiting a friend who has Alzheimer's Disease. She was lying there screaming in some unutterable agony. I don't know if her suffering is physical, emotional or both. But when she is awake, she cries out inconsolably....And as I was sitting there, I was praying, "Oh God, why? What can be the purpose in this? Can't you just take her home? Can't you give her some peace?" Well, I can't say that I have a lot of answers, but the thought came to me -- and I assume it was from HIM -- "This pain is nothing compared to the infinite number of years she will be in Heaven." Which reminds me of Paul's words:

Rom 8:18 (NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

In the same manner, when we make a decision, we need to think of the hereafter. How will it affect things in eternity?

And when we find ourselves getting upset over something trivial--be it a broken diswasher, or a slight someone has hurt us with, we should think about this: Will it matter 1000 years from now? If not, we should be willing to let it go.

Dear Lord, help us to see things more with Your perspective, rather than our limited vision. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jan

jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org