When You Look, What Do You See?

It is not generally my style to copy other people's material, but the article below was sent to me and captured my imagination to the degree that I just felt compelled to share it with all of you. I ask, "When you look, what do you see?"   When Jesus healed the demoniac by sending the devils into the pigs that grazed nearby, the pigs rushed into the sea. The inhabitants of the land remonstrated with him. You see, they only saw the lost pigs but not a lost soul restored, Mark 5:1-20.  I have slightly adapted the words in the article below to fit with our modern outlook.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgment; more experts yet more problems; more medicine but less wellness. 

Our generation drinks too much, smokes too much, spends too recklessly, laughs too little, drives too fast, rages too much, stays up too late, gets up too tired, reads too little, watches TV too much, and prays too seldom. We also ignore God too much, Matthew 6:33.

We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values, Luke 12:15-21. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom but not our prejudice. We study more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We've learned to rush but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less. 

These are the times of fast foods and burning indigestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills or injections that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to implement this insight, or to just ignore it.

Remember: spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever. Remember: say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember: give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it costs so very little. Remember to say, "I love you" to your spouse and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of your heart. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there anymore.

Take time to love, take time to speak! And take time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. Also, take time to listen. So many people long for a caring, listening ear. Above all, ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

When you look, what do you see? Do you see lost people made in the image of God inadvertently seeking Him? Do you see them struggling under the burden of their sin? Do you see "fields white unto harvest?" Do you know your Lord and Savior is able to alter their destiny as well as yours?

Let's look with the eyes of the Master (Luke 19:10). 

Love you all,

Al --"The Horne of Africa."  

[Contact Us]