A Challenge to Focus on the Unseen
If you were to walk into my house, one of the first things that you would notice would be all the pictures.
Wedding pictures, engagement photos, snapshots from my travels, and photographs of family adorn the walls, shelves, and mantle.
I have always loved pictures. Before I lost my sight, and, yes, even after.
The third anniversary of my wedding is today, and one of my favorite things to do is to sit and look over all the pictures from our perfect day.
How do I do this without my sight you may be wondering?
For my digital photos, I have descriptions of the pictures typed out, which my screen reader will read aloud as I select an image.
Here is an example of what my computer or phone would read to me:
Sara Claudia and Seth from the waist up dancing in the grassy field at Muse Farms. Seth is looking down at Sara Claudia smiling while she is looking up at him. She is pictured from behind, so this shot really shows off the back of her dress and her beautiful hair in a low updo.
I do not like to solely rely on technology for such important memories, so, for hard copies of photos, I make braille labels that describe each corresponding picture.
For me, even though I cannot see the picture, when I read that description, I am taken back into the moment.
The nervous anticipation of getting ready with my bridesmaids, the love that I felt as I spoke my vows, the relief and joy I felt as Seth and I had our first kiss, and the surreal, dream-like feeling of our first dance together as husband and wife.
Looking at pictures, even without my sight, helps me to remember the emotions, the sounds, and the smells of each moment.
All those unseen elements that, for me, made each experience so special and worth remembering.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says,
“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.”
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In this chapter, Paul speaks of the suffering he has endured throughout his life and ministry. He has been beaten, thrown in prison, and persecuted relentlessly for following Christ.
All these trials have taken a toll on his outward self, his physical body.
In this life, we are all guilty of focusing too much on what we can see, or, in my case, what others can see.
We spend time perfecting our make-up, worrying about our weight, and grieving over our physical suffering.
I get it, blindness is hard, and I bump into things leaving bruises on my face, legs, and hips more than I would like to admit.
However, just like a simple picture to me is so much more than what others can see, there is a lot more under the surface in our own lives as well, even during our suffering.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, ESV)
For Paul, although his outward self had been marred and broken down by his trials, something greater was happening where no one could see.
As God continued to work through his suffering, his faith and perseverance were growing.
Even more, he was sharing with others about Christ and growing their faith as well.
We cannot see God or His presence.
We cannot see the hope that we have as His child, follower, and disciple.
We cannot see the impact that our trials may be having on someone else’s own faith journey.
But these things, although unseen, are far more everlasting than anything we may endure here on earth.
I challenge you today to focus more on the unseen.
As difficult as it may be, turn your eyes away from the things of this earth and the hardships you are facing today, and fix your eyes on God.
Like Paul, focus not on your momentary affliction, but on the eternal work that God is conducting through that very situation. You may just be amazed at how God is comforting you, strengthening you, and preparing you through His unseen presence.
Text that says, “This blog is sponsored by:”
Dr. Donna Thomas Moses, who specializes in Periodontics, temporomandibular complex (TMJ), and dental implants. At her practice, she strives to make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your evaluation and treatment.
Ashlee Burgess Photography, which has been a photography business in the West Georgia area since 2014. Specializing in weddings, elopements, and couples, Ashlee also loves working with seniors & individuals for portraits! No matter the subject in front of her camera, her goal is to create warm, dreamy images that capture the emotion of your most precious moments.
