Vision is vital in our lives. We need to see where we are going, what we are doing. We need to read. We need to see people, our loved ones. our friends, our pets, our neighbors, our leaders. We need to see colors and the beauty of our world. Yes, eyesight is invaluable and yet, in our older population many of us have difficulty with our eyesight. Many have macular degeneration which is very serious, ultimately, in some cases, leading to blindness. Fortunately, there have been tremendous strides in optical care so that treatment is available to at least slow down rapidly approaching blindness.
Fortunately, I am blessed with excellent eyesight. True, I underwent cataract surgery several years ago but now, in my eighties, I am thankful that I see so well. I love colors, scenery, sunsets, sunrises, flower gardens, landscaping, midnight sparkling stars, true blue skies, snow covered mountains, cities with rising skyscrapers and charming homes. Of course, I enjoy looking at people and seeing their expressions, their eyes, which communicate heart messages. Yes, I realize that if I lost my eyesight and became permanently blind, I would be lost.
But have we ever thought about what is really there that we cannot 'see'? For example, can we 'see' wind? We know wind is there because we can hear it rattle the windows. We see the trees bend and the tall grass wave but do we see wind? Can we 'see' electricity? We know it is there because sometimes we see a spark. We know it is working because our lights turn on, but do we 'see' electricity?
What about the spiritual world. Do we 'see' God and His messengers guiding us, protecting us and caring for us? Also, do we 'see' evil forces that can grab people into accomplishing horrid behavior? Those of us who are believing Christians know we live in a spiritual battle between good and evil. Do we 'see' that battle? As we enter our final years on this physical earth our minds tend to think about the spiritual world. Our earthly lives have an ending. Therefore, what will happen to us? Will we enter a glorious Heaven or will we end in a dark, horrible, lonely existence? What do we 'see' out there? The Bible tells us angels exist. Do we 'see' them in our 21st Century world? Scripture tells us angels are messengers from God. Have you had an angel visit you lately? In our culture today it seems we don't believe something unless we 'see' it. Well, I have something exciting to share.
In 2010 at age 74, I was suddenly diagnosed with CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma, basically brain cancer, located in the left thalamus of my brain. The oncologist told me on July 6, 2010 that I had only seven weeks to live because my cancer was "acute, rare and fatal". The news shocked me but gave me pause because on May 26, 2010, just six weeks previously, I had been given a surprising, amazing, viable vision. In the middle of the night I suddenly awakened and saw a figure sitting on a beautiful upholstered chair with sunbeams radiating off him. He then spoke to me in a voice filled with power, authority and love. "You will be healed, BUT in my own time frame." At the time I wasn't even sick and I wondered what all this meant. Then, to my astonishment, Dick rolled over in bed and suddenly said, "Janet, who was just talking to you?" When I heard six weeks later that I had cancer of the brain and that I was going to die very soon, I knew that God would heal me. Yes, I 'saw' my Lord!
It is almost nine years since my diagnosis. My yearly MRIs continue to be clear. My mind is sharp and my memory accurate. True, I am left with residual right-sided weakness in walking and use of my right arm as a result of cancer-causing brain damage, which gives credence to my story. But I know without a doubt that the spiritual world exists! I now know with absolute assurance that my dying to this earthly life opens the door to live in Paradise with the Triune God. How wonderful to know where I'm going because I 'saw' with my own eyes that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is real!
