Fixing our eyes

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I listened to news radio as I drove to a meeting. After recounting one negative economic report after another, the announcer asked, in frustration, “Is there any good news out there?”

What do you think?

Have you ever noticed how much what we see is impacted by where we look? Today it’s hard to see anything but crises. Companies are posting record losses, and experts warn that the worst may still be yet to come. Uncertainty captures our attention and focuses our gaze on problems that don’t seem to have solutions.

What if you looked in a different direction, away from the blinking warning lights and incessant sirens? What if you focused your attention instead on what is invisible, yet very real?Paul challenged us to “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.”

At the beginning of this year I asked each member of our family to make a “most wanted list”. On this are names of friends and neighbors who need to know Jesus. Together we are praying for their salvation. I have the list on my phone, and review it in my morning devotions. It helps me keep my eyes focused on the unseen world.

This week the first person from that list trusted Christ! She came to visit my wife, Connie, to talk about the struggles of her life, and met the one who is the WAY, TRUTH and LIFE. I came here with the weight of the world,” she said as she hugged Connie on the way out, “and I leave with none of it. I am absolutely new tonight – Oh thank you Jesus!”

Is there any good news out there? You’d better believe there is – and you know him!

Fixing our eyes,

Dave Patty
President, Josiah Venture