Authored by Lou Geense

Seeing Clearly
 

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Vs. 18- We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
 
Reflect:
The resilience of the people I know in Tanzania is really amazing and inspiring. When difficulty comes to people already living in difficult situations you would think that people would just give up. Add to that reality that the possibilities of moving ahead in life are bleak, surely people would just collapse and give up. My friend Hassan works in Mwanza and Kigoma – a good distance apart. He works with farmers in both communities trying to get contracts for their crops. He tries to sell to the government and to out of country sources. After spending two weeks with him, carefully setting out a plan for Canadian Foodgrains Bank we prayed together for success of acceptance. Within weeks we heard the answer: NO!
 
I was frustrated and disheartened. Hassan simply picked up his computer and said, “Surely the Lord has something in store for us.” And he began to search and work away. He inspires me when I think of him. Not because he is so resilient but because his trust and belief that Jesus is on his side and cares for the same poor farmers that he does.
 
Hassan does not look at the struggle that stares him in the face rather he stares into the face of Jesus and sees hope and possibility. Hassan has travelled to many places in the world. He has seen wealth and extravagance and when he sees it, he simply looks past the riches into the face of Jesus and his calling to serve his people.
 
In John 9 we see the story of a man born blind. Jesus spat in the dirt, made mud and placed it on the man’s eyes. Then Jesus said go wash yourself in the pool.  The man did not question Jesus – he just did as he was told. Life is all about perspective and what we focus on. We can sit around with mud on our eyes, or we can wash it off and see the light of Jesus. Paul says the problems we see are temporary, but the hope we have in Jesus—though unseen—is eternal.
 
How do you see the world? Is it just this awful place plagued by Covid 19 restricting us from what we want to do OR is it a time to see opportunity to do ministry, to serve the people we call family, friends, community?
 
Pray:
Lord give me eyes to see with my heart. May focus always be on you and not the circumstances around me. Help me to see you more clearly and to stand in the power of your glory. Amen.