LOOKING FOR THE PAIN
Let me tell you about a conversation I had with Stan. Before I do that, let me introduce you to Stan. Stan is the energizer bunny of faith. He has had more things go wrong with Him than most people and yet His faith continues to keep going and going and going.
At this point in time Stan has had both legs amputated from above the knee, he has had three heart attacks and a couple of strokes. He has diabetes and has been blind for the past seven years. His wife, Jessie, has had cancer and several other health problems as well. I think you are starting to get the picture. Their life hasn't been a bed of roses.
OK, now back to the conversation. Stan called me last week and I could tell that he was extremely excited about something. He couldn't wait to talk to me. It seems that early last Monday morning Stan was sitting on the edge of his bed, when a sharp, piercing pain went through his eyes, followed by what Stan described as a lightning bolt. Then, for the first time ever, he was able to see his dog who was sitting next to him on the bed. Immediately he cried out to Jessie and he then spent several minutes looking at his wife for the first time in seven years. A few minutes later, the sight slipped into a white fog. This, in itself, is a new development since he used to be in total darkness.
Since last Monday the sharp pains and episodes of sight come and go. Stan went to his Ophthalmologist a few days ago and she believes that his optical nerves are reattaching to his retinas. It may very well be that Stan is going to regain his site for good! This is something we've been praying for since the fall. Cool, eh! God is soooooo good! If you would care to, please add Stan to your prayer list. I will keep you posted on his progress.
Now here's the point of why I am sharing this conversation of Stan's with you. While we were talking, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask Stan this very important question. I said, "Stan, every time your sight comes back to you, it is preceded by an incredible piercing pain. Do you look forward to the pain?" He said, "You bet I do!" And then he laughed because he understood what I was asking.
I knew that was going to be his answer, but still, shivers went up my spine. You see, that question really didn't come from me, but the answer certainly was for me, and Stan, and perhaps you, as well. Stan looked forward to the pain because through the pain he began to see.
Without going into detail, I've been going through a bit of a tough time lately. Several problems, stresses and difficulties have oozed their way onto my horizon, so I believe the Lord placed that question in my head hoping that that I would take that message to heart. Through the pain we begin to see. Through the pain, our spiritual eyes are opened to the love, provision, care, and support of our amazing Lord. Through the pain, blindness ceases and sight is restored. There are some things that we can only really see only after the pain comes.
Does this mean that we should go looking for pain? Not at all, but when it comes, remember, God is there opening your eyes to see His reality with a brand new clarity. Only in Christ can we even look forward to the pain! Praise God!
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18)
