But What is Unseen is Eternal

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 4:10

Do you ever feel like things in your life are spinning out of control? Like the more you plan, the less control you have over the events that occur? Like you start the day going in one direction and at the end of the day you are someplace you never planned to be and may not even recognize?

All of these statements describe the way I have felt about my life lately.  There are things happening that I want to control … but I can’t. There are plans I have made … that never happen. There are places that I want to go … but I’m not anywhere I recognize.

Most days I start with God’s word as a part of my devotional.  Last week one morning this statement from 2 Corinthians was the jumping off point of the author’s thoughts. As I read her thoughts, it struck me that if I can focus on what is unseen, each difficult day will be easier. And, as I have ruminated on that idea, as I have looked for the unseen, I have found in myself a greater sense of peace, even with the wild, unsettled, emotional time through which I am living.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend three days with my dearest friend, doing nothing but relaxing and pampering ourselves together.  We had fabulous massages, ate great food, slept late and just generally chilled.  Looking back over our weekend I am so grateful that we gave each other the greatest gift we could — the gift of our time. We decided about a year ago that although we see each other pretty regularly, we are usually with our husbands and families.  So instead of exchanging gifts for any occasions, we gave each other time — one weekend together, away from home. 

All this week as I have settled back into real life, as things have gotten hectic and a little crazy, I have sent my mind back to this time. The real gift of our time together was our friendship. The acceptance of each other, warts and all! You can’t see that but it is so real.

My mom is an amazing person. For most of my life she has been my rock.  Now, watching her age and go through difficult and painful decisions, I am reminded of the constancy of her love in my life. Even as our roles have somewhat become reversed, I remember always knowing that Mom was there for me. You can’t see a mother’s love, but you can bet it is real.

Monday at lunch, I heard Koffi Annan speak eloquently about his view of the world. He talked about the situation in the Middle East and how complicated the politics of that region have become. He talked about the economic crisis which had effected every country in the world and the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti and Argentina. Clearly this is a brilliant man who has thought deeply and long about complex issues. But what I brought home with me were his thoughts about kindness. Mr. Annan talked about the world religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity and how we all shared the same Golden Rule. Kindness is certainly one of those things that you cannot see, but you can certainly feel its presence.

As these thoughts have rolled around in my mind I have realized that these things which are unseen but real are truly more important than the “things”  we have. The gifts of the spirit are gifts we feel compelled to share. When we reach out to others with our time, love and kindness, we often receive more than we actually give!

Yesterday as I received the news that Rev. Cynthia Harvey will be leaving our Conference to head up UMCOR, I was filled with mixed emotions.  It is certainly a wonderful gift for Cynthia to share her many talents for ministry with the General Board of Global Ministries.  And, for those of us who have been blessed to know her, we know that this work will certainly reflect her heart!  Personally though, I am so sad to see her go.  I know that is selfish but in the few years that I have had the pleasure of working with Cynthia, her love and kindness have been a gift to me.

Hearing of Cynthia’s new job, my own sense of personal loss was quickly followed by great memories of Cynthia and the times we have shared.  Memories are yet another example of things we can’t see, but we all have.

2 Corinthians 4:18 is paraphrased in the Message to say, “There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But for the things we can’t see now will last forever.” Food for thought.

Showers of Blessings,

Leah Taylor