I typed this devotional on my laptop while wearing reading glasses. My close-up vision isn’t what it used to be. I’m sure you can relate in some way because so many of us have imperfect senses. Whether its birth defects, aging, an unfortunate accident, or an illness, we’ve all been let down by our senses in some fashion.
While it’s easy to be discouraged by flawed senses, some exceptional people counted it as a blessing. These Christians pondered the joy and the hope of Heaven–it fueled their time on Earth. The famous Christian hymn writer Fanny Crosby reflected on her blindness with these heartwarming words:
“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of GOD that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow, I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of GOD if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind…for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior.”
Fanny Crosby wrote a famous hymn titled, Blessed Assurance. Here are two stanzas from that song.
Blessed assurance Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of GOD
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Imagine her joy on February 12, 1915, when death opened her eyes. She was transported to heaven by the angels and saw Jesus Christ, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords–now that’s an eye opener!
There are also people in the Bible who have testified to their senses being overwhelmed by GOD and Heaven.
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. Revelation 22:8
The Apostle Paul tells us about his experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4;
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.
Job understood this truth and offered us these words;
“And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:26-27 NIV
These verses can encourage us. One day, our imperfect and flawed mortal flesh will be transformed into a glorified body with glorified senses.
Reflection
Like Job and Fanny Crosby, no matter the condition of our senses today, we can lift our thoughts to Heaven and relish the fact that one day our senses will be renewed and upgraded. We will see the face of our Savior, we will touch and hug His resurrected body, we will taste the Marriage supper of the Lamb, we will smell the purity of heaven, and we will hear Him say, “I love you.” All while feeling His love and acceptance. Is your heart yearning? Mine certainly is!