So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)
The headline blared, Stop staring at your phone. It appears that *Constantly looking down to check your text messages or computer can cause what’s called “tech neck” – premature neck lines or sagging—to develop over time. Bummer!
The magazine article goes on to quote a doctor who adds, These habits are causing us to see neck changes earlier than usual. She advises to prevent and minimize tech neck, position your computer and phone at eye level. Who knew looking down could have such negative consequences?
As I thought about it, I realized, like many of you, I really like the idea of looking up way more than looking down! And, if you are like me, it is good to know we are not alone! One of the things that kept the Apostle Paul from fainting or losing heart, was his “looking up” perspective on life.
The Apostle Paul simply did not concentrate his attention upon the things which are seen, because he actually had very little interest in the things of this world. Instead, he fixed his gaze on things which are not seen—reasoning that the things that are seen are transitory—lasting only for a brief time—while the things that are not seen are eternal.
Do you remember the story of Elisha’s servant? The servant saw a city surrounded by horses and chariots of an enemy army. Elisha, however, saw a vastly different reality. He prayed for his servant, “O Lord, please open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17 ESV). When the servant’s eyes were opened, he was amazed to see they were completely protected by a magnificent vast array of horses and chariots of fire.
The invisible world contained a far greater and more powerful army to protect Elisha and his servant than the extremely fragile visible world could ever rally against them. Don’t you long to be graced more often with a vision of the unseen world—so that the things of this earth will grow strangely dim? Lord, I pray Thee, open our eyes, that we may see—by looking up!!
*GH July/August 2020