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Fix your eyes on what is unseen

Decades ago (in a galaxy far far away) we watched Luke Skywalker jetting across the screen trying to focus on destroying the one vulnerable spot of the death star. No one else had succeeded in torpedoing this crucial spot and now it was up to him to get the job done. Relying on every bit of his Jedi knight training, Luke was interrupted by the voice of Obi Wan who told him put up his computerized visor and “trust the force.” Of course, we all know the end of the story. Luke, trusting in what he couldn’t clearly see fired the successful shot to blow up the death star that was threatening the planet on which his base was located.

Now, I don’t want to elevate the Star Wars above its mere entertainment value. And as good a shooter as the character Luke was in the film, the film writers missed the true to life reality message. But they were close.

How often during each day do you think you get distracted from your most urgent goals, from seeking with all your heart to be the person you were meant to be and treat others the way they were meant to be treated? And why do you suppose that is that way? I think part of the answer has to do with how visual we are. We get distracted by the things we see. The Bible counsels us to not rely on our own devices or to be distracted by what we see with our eyes. These things are temporary and of little lasting value. Rather we should focus on the unseen because that is eternal.

Next time you’re facing a struggle, try closing your eyes and quieting your mind from all the distracting images and sounds and information. Regain your focus on what is not seen in the problem and you may just find your solution. This has helped me so much during my life, to step away from the noise, and hear that still silent voice that whispers clarity and truth.

Pain, suffering, sorrow, cancer…all these are real but also temporary. What are the “unseen” aspects of your life that demand your focus? What does it mean to “fix your eyes” on these in your everyday life? What steps will you take to focus your trust on what matters while you are wrestling with those things that are merely temporary?

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen for what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18