by Janet Paschal

LOOK HOW FAR….

A few days ago, John said he wanted to show me something. He launched three online videos from his laptop, each featuring a child playing the piano. They were classical players and each performed with a full orchestra. The little girl was five years old, the two boys were five and three.

It was amazing to watch them play. Their renditions were flawless, their feet halfway to the floor, and arms stretched to compensate for their short reach. Their adorable fingers stretched and moved without a detectable miss, and the three-year-old flared and nodded like a seasoned musician. None of them used music, and they seemed almost detached, as though effort and attention was not required. 

As we watched, John said quietly, “Look how far we have moved from what God intended.”

Whew. I had to think about that. 

Imagine the world that He intended. Everything would operate in harmony. There would be perfect peace and equitable justice. There would be no war, no fear, and no lack. 

The creatures of the earth would dwell together, as would humanity. Man would be wise, discerning, and understanding. He would share his gifts, but he would not boast of them. Within the confines of the laws of his Great Creator, he would live in the “paradise of God.” (Rev 2:7 NIV) 

Jesus admonished the church at Ephesus when He had John write them, “Look how far you have fallen.” (Rev 2:5 NIV) Theirs was a thriving church, founded by the Apostle Paul and supported by great teachers. Jesus said that the church body had worked hard, persevered and endured hardships, yet they had forsaken the love they had at first. 

There is a phenomenon called the Angle of Depression, that explains why objects appear smaller as we move further from them. In short, as we move further away, the angle becomes less steep because the overall distance increases. For instance, when you stand under a tree and look up at its height, it will appear much taller than when you walk away from it and look back.

And so it is with us. The further we move away from our first love, the less significant it appears. As the distance increases, the conviction decreases. When I look back at some of the mistakes and poor decisions I have made, I am sure He whispered, “Look how far you have fallen.” 

It is no wonder that Solomon admonished us:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 4:23  

Take hold of my words with all your heart.. 4:4

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 4:13

Fix your gaze directly before you. 4:25

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet. 4:26

      And finally:

Bind (His commands) always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you, when you awake, they will speak to you. 6:21-22

So, though we remain in a tainted world, we can yet rejoice because our eyes look for the beautiful, unfathomable city to come; our hearts long for the peace that God intended; our ears listen for the sound of the trumpet. 

Then we will shout, “Look how far …… we have come! Amen!”

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10 Comments

  1. Unknown's avatar

    Hey Janet! John was so insightful and sensitive to share the youngsters on instruments, displaying how far humanity has fallen from our Father’s plan. Thank you for sharing.

    I also had noticed a couple of those videos and was blown away.

    We are truly made in God’s image.

    “Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength…”

    Let’s continue to keep our eyes on Jesus, and seek to be more like Him.

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  2. Unknown's avatar

    Hi Janet,

    On Sunday nights for the past few months we’ve been studying heaven via Randy Alcorn’s book about it. It has been a fascinating journey and has really challenged many of my beliefs about what life will be like in the new heaven and on the new earth.

    As Paul writes in Romans 8:

    18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

    The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2016. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

    It is a day I look forward to and I’m sure you do too. Thank you for sharing all your deep insights into His Word!

    David

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  3. Unknown's avatar

    This is so timely Janet as I navigate the waters of procedures, biopsies and surgery to remove precancerous cells.

    I’m fixing my eyes on Jesus with every biopsy, procedure, needle poke.

    The word Oncologist has stared me in the face in a “just incase” scenario. I’m thankful He goes before us! I couldn’t do this otherwise. Surgery is later this month!

    I love you sweet friend!

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  4. Unknown's avatar

    Great article and I missed it as I do not check this email address very often. Article is do true.

    Blessings, Bill

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