Devotions For All Reasons

Day 125: An Eternal Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:17
“ … while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

As a young girl, I had a few dreams—to be a model, to major in home economics in college, perhaps teach, marry either a baseball player or military man, have children, own a beautiful colonial-styled home, and live happily ever after. In fact, many of those dreams did come true except for the modeling part and the home economics part, unless you count that I have majored in running a household for over fifty years! Fulfilling our dreams, however, doesn’t necessarily mean “happily ever after.”

Happiness is never guaranteed. It wasn’t until my perspective on life included God and eternity that I realized how very narrow and microscopic my perspective was and that I had set myself up for disappointment. Having an eternal perspective has helped me see God’s broader view, to see things with His “vision.” What does that really look like and how can it change our lives? It means looking at things through a different lens, not through the television or movie lens; not through a newscaster’s lens or a movie star’s lens. Our spiritual eyes would see the world through the lens of God’s Word, through Christ’s eyes, seeing things that matter to Him, not the things that appear to be of importance to the world—more money, bigger houses, nicer clothes, smarter investments, greater status. The opinions of others would matter less; obeying God and pleasing Him would matter more. With His vision we can trust that He is working out His plan for our best and we can truly live a life of contentment.

The hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” is a prayer—our prayer today— that Christ would be our sufficiency, our ruler, our light, our vision. For His sake. Amen.

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking more sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my Great Father and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, oh bright Heaven’s sun
Part of my young heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh Ruler of all.

~ lyrics by Dallán Forgaill