Reality

It is said that mirrors do not lie. But sometimes I wonder. There’s an old lady staring at me that I hardly recognize. She has lots of wrinkles, swatches of white hair and sagging skin under her chin. And that’s supposedly me. That’s reality, but one I don’t want to accept.

I live with an old man. That hardly seems right. But I have to face facts. He is 80 and I will be 80 in one month. It’s hard to reconcile the young mind within and the aging body without. But that’s reality.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why things seem so out of whack in this old world. Why does reality include weather disasters? Multiple shootings for little reason? Death? Sickness which is sometimes worse than death? Theologically we know the answer is sin. But we can’t help but ask questions. Why does God allow all of this? Does He not care? Has He lost power? Is He really interested in me?

Here’s the reality. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10). “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). “In me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Since we can only see the present and some of the past, we can’t possibly understand things from God’s perspective. He sees the past, present and future as if it were all one. If we believe His word, we know that He has an ultimate plan. He is holy. He is love. These two seemingly opposing characteristics were demonstrated at the cross. His judgment and His love were on display for all to see. It didn’t make sense until after the resurrection. And things that are happening today won’t make sense until after the final resurrection when we are with Christ. Hang on. That day is coming.

Are you accepting the reality in your life today as part of God’s plan for you? Eternal things are more real than what we see now. How about letting your faith be bolstered by reading II Corinthians 4:16-18?