Looking to the Other Side

"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

About 5 years ago life blew up, and when I say blew up I mean literally everything I thought I knew or thought life would look like exploded out of nowhere. I remember some very kind well-meaning person saying, "you will get to the other side of this, just wait and see." I also remember thinking she was perhaps delusional or couldn't quite grasp the despair I felt or the daily burdens of the reality I faced. But this advice sounded somewhat hopeful, so I began to fix my eyes on looking to the "other side." I spent my days waiting for a moment when the circumstances resolved, the pain ceased, or the power of sin seemed to diminish. I had so many moments I thought, "This is it. This is the other side," only to be crushed by the weight of further suffering or the brutal effects of sin. Then slowly, by God's grace, hope began to grow as my gaze shifted beyond looking for a new set of circumstances to a day that no earthly pleasure can match. Not an other side that can offer merely temporary relief, but the other side that will bring eternal restoration and joy

If we spend our time waiting, hoping, and looking for momentary relief, we will also spend our lives burdened with disappointment, shame, guilt, and despair when those moments don't show up or are snuffed out by sudden waves of suffering or temptation. Jesus said, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33)." He didn't say you might or it's possible trials and sorrows will come your way. He said you will have trials and sorrow. Experiencing trials and sorrows is not a sign you're a terrible person or all hope is lost, it's a reality of living in this world that has not been fully redeemed from the effects of sin. Now do not hear me say we should never hope for joyful times this side of heaven. I do believe as the psalmist says, "Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13)."

Jesus's very next words in John 16:33 are "take heart, because I have overcome the world.” To "take heart" can also be translated to "have courage" or "be of good cheer." We can expect joy and blessings this side of heaven, but that shouldn't be where our eyes or hope are fixed. Our attention and thoughts need to be steadily and intently focused on those things that are eternal, and our present struggles and temptations will not be eternal for those who have put their faith in Jesus.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Prise (Jesus) who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:19-23)

We can walk with unwavering hope because God can be trusted. By faith in Jesus, we are saved and will enter into the house of the Lord. God will keep His promise. The world we live in is filled with uncertainty, but the promises of God are certain and sure. His Word does not waiver and grace and mercy do not end for those who are His children.

So how do we do this? How do we shift our focus and fix our gaze towards heaven? The same way those who came before have. Looking to the Word of God, spending time with the people of God, and trusting in the Spirit of God to help us do what we can't possibly do on our own. The world will pull our attention, temptations will catch our gaze, and struggles will burden our body and mind. Our hope for not only making it to the other side, but steadily looking with hope to the other side is not grounded in our own abilities, but in the power of the Spirit of God dwelling in us and who is able to help us in all our weaknesses.

So if you're a child of the Most High King, fix your eyes and turn your thoughts from what is seen to what is unseen: the love of God in Christ Jesus and the sure hope of the eternal side to come. When hope waivers and fear overcomes you, know that God is steady. When you feel the heaviness of your circumstances, know that God will carry you. Certainly, rejoice and be grateful for seasons filled with joy and goodness, but fix your gaze on the certainty of the eternal goodness and joy to come. If you haven't put your faith in Jesus, I encourage you to explore it further with someone you know who has. By his grace, you can make it to the other side.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children." (Revelations 21:1-7)