Living in Two Worlds!

A few months ago when nasty old shingles came to visit, my right hand went out for action for a while. Now, that was a challenge … and that's putting it mildly! My arm, hand and fingers were in constant pain – pain killers didn't do much, although they did help. Blisters poked their angry red tongues out at me, and I had to apply soothing calamine lotion to calm them down. My palm and fingers felt as if little needles were pricking them at the gentlest touch. Arrrgh!

As you can imagine, performing even the simplest chore was a challenge. I tried to use my left hand most of the time, but for the majority of tasks – be it fold washed clothes, cut vegetables, type an email, sweep the floor and so on, I needed to use two hands. What to do? Thankfully, there was one thing I could manage with only one hand. Playing TT! Yay! Not as enjoyable ... but definitely do-able!

Sometimes, life is like that, isn't it? It's like playing TT with one's left hand. Do-able, but not too pleasurable! Like a vacuum cleaner efficiently sucking out every particle of dust from a carpet, adversity can suck much of the joy and pleasure out of our lives, if we allow it. One day as I was enjoying some time outdoors, I noticed that there was a large fluffy cloud next to a grey one. It reminded me of my battle with shingles. The ugly grey of the illness had intruded into my world, bringing pain and suffering to mingle with wholeness and wellbeing.

As Christians, we live in two worlds. All. Of. The. Time. In the natural world that we see with our eyes and hear with our ears and feel with our touch. But even more so in the spiritual world that is not felt with our senses but known deep in our spirits through the Holy Spirit who lives within each of us. The problem is that often, what I see with my eyes feels more real than the unseen world.

Which is why I need other believers to encourage me on life's journey. I also need God's Word to nourish me regularly, so I can imbibe its truths and live from what God says rather than from what I can see and hear and feel and taste and touch. I need the Holy Spirit's guidance, teaching and comfort. I need to have sufficient faith to really believe that what I see is not all there is. In the past six years God has been asking me to often walk by faith and not by sight. I confess I sometimes wobble as I try to do as He asks – teetering on a tightrope, strung over a deep rushing river. And I fear I might fall in!

The Message Translation of Colossians 3:1-5 is a wake up call and says it beautifully.

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life." Collosians 3:1-5

Isn't that lovely? It's what I need. The words deliver life and truth vividly into my heart, like the colours of a rainbow lighting up a dark and scary world. I confess that too often I get side tracked by the worry and concern over troubles that are in front of me. Jesus says to me then, "Look up. Look at me Nushi. I am all you need."

Dear friend, how are you doing today? Let me assure you that the unseen spiritual world is as real as that steaming cup of coffee you are enjoying right now. As real as the sunrise you thrilled to at last morning. As true as a baby's sweet smile and a toddler's shrieks of joy. God is right here, beside you and me, asking that we trust Him. That we know He's got us in His capable and loving Hands. That the circumstances that keep us awake at night – well, He's got those too.

Will you trust Him today? Will you live with a kingdom mindset? Knowing that our Father reigns. That nothing catches Him by surprise. That He has heard your prayers. That as sure as the seasons follow each other every single year, He will do just as He promised. That He is able. He's the All Sufficient One. He is Mighty to Save. We are safe in His Hands. All is well. Yes. All is well.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:1