A New Focus


    A couple years ago, my son and daughter-in-law got me this picture for Christmas.  It is a print of a statue called "Come Unto Me" by Jerry Anderson.  I had seen and admired it for some time, so I was thrilled to actually own it.  When I first saw it, I was encouraged by the thought that someday I would be able to trade in my cane and walker for a new perfectly healthy body.  In fact, for about a year after I had it hanging on my bedroom wall, I would see it every day and think, "Someday that will be me!  I can't wait!"  I even told my family that at my funeral I wanted them to put a big garbage can up next to my casket and fill it with my cane, walker, handicap bars, handicap parking sign, electric scooter, and anything else I use now because I won't be needing them anymore! Hallelujah!😀 
   Then, a few months ago, I was walking past the picture, and I stopped dead in my tracks.  I suddenly realized that I had been looking at it all wrong.  I had been focusing on the left half of the picture.  The old feeble woman was me, and all I could see was the vibrant new body I looked forward to. I would think to myself, "If I can just keep hobbling along down here, I'll be able to jump for joy up there. What I finally saw that day was the right side of the picture.  For the first time, I realized the look of joy on the woman's face was because her eyes were on Jesus.  She doesn't even notice her new body.  All she wants is to be close to Him.
    Now, whenever I look at the picture, I hardly even notice the old woman.  I can't help but smile like she does as she enters heaven when I think of what it will be like to see Jesus face to face.  Heaven won't be Heaven because I can walk or run or jump.  Heaven will be Heaven because I will be with Him.  In fact, the one thing that I think is beautiful about my illness is the thought that the next time I will be able to kneel, it will be at His feet.  It is something I look forward to more than I can find words to express. 
 
    I had another great reminder of that truth this last weekend.  On Saturday our daughter Jessica got married, and I was reminded of one of my favorite hymns (and I have many favorites😀).  "The Sands of Time are Sinking" has a verse that says:

The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear bridegroom's face.
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace --
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel's land.

    
    As I watched my husband walk Jessica down the aisle, I can tell you that her eyes never left Josh.  As we all admired her dress, her hair, her makeup, and her bouquet, her eyes were glued on her bridegroom. In that moment, all her world was the young man standing at the front of the auditorium waiting to make her his wife.  The dress, the hair, the decorations and all the other trimmings were forgotten when she looked at him.  His love was enough.  



    Is it any wonder God uses the picture of a bride and bridegroom to describe our relationship with Him?  When He welcomes us home, and we see the love in His eyes, everything else will become insignificant.  In that moment, as our trials and burdens fall away and we are clothed in robes of righteousness, we will hardly notice the splendors around us for the brilliance of His love.   
    Will I still run and jump?  I sure hope so, but I suspect it will be an expression of my gratitude.  Will you celebrate relief from the hurts and burdens that weigh you down when He wipes every tear from your eyes?  I'm sure you will, but it will be generated by your love for Him.



    
    



 

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