We have ETERNITY to hang out with our believing friends and family!

Yeah - I know - that’s just an okay guy’s excuse to not have to be very hospitable. But, on a serious side of that: that thought is one that should keep us willing and interested in investing some of our relational time and energy into pre-believers and believers who are in a season of needing specific encouragement, exhortation, and/or equipping - as oppose to the human tendency to “clique up”.

Not that you were suggesting clique’s… wow… I digressed. That’s probably what like 18 hours of driving in a 5 day period will do to you.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory”
2 Corinthians 4:17

This coming from the guy, who history tells us, had his own eye problems as well - and called things like being beat with rods and stoned to be left for dead “light afflictions”.

My post, however, was coming from my “first person” point of view, and that the Lord was asking ME to approach the guy - not the other way around. Both times I’ve seen the gentlemen there were calls for “anyone sick in the room who would like to receive prayer, stand up and people around you will pray with you”; He didn’t stand up either time. (Which is one of the main reasons I justified not praying for him - honoring his wishes, etc.)

If I was struck with such an affliction, I pray that I would try to find the humility and “eternal weight of glory” in it. But, as the afflicted, and the currently pre-afflicted, I would still believe that the Lord intended for us to “lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16:18). And, also, in context of this verse, I believe OBEDIENCE is a key…

You’re not going to catch me running around picking up snakes and drinking poison just because it says “those that believe” will do these things and not be harmed. I think that “will” means “it’s going to happen, when they are doing what I’ve asked them to do, and when it’s My will to handle it in such a way.” Not a free ticket (I couldn’t remember how to spell.. uh.. cart blance), every single time, kind of promise.

My point is, though - I want to be one who gives the Lord opportunities - by listening to Him, and doing what His word (both written and spoken) asks me to do.

And, he does kind of look like a sniper-type… maybe you’re on to something. We love the Weisenfels!

My question is this:
Is this man, with this eye-patch not exceedingly blessed in his affliction? Does it not take more faith to live with an eye patch than to demand or expect a miracle? Would it not be more of a miracle for this man to learn to patient, kind and humble even when continually afflicted, continually pointed out? How miraculous is it to be a good man when one has an excuse to be a bitter one? If “humilty comes from humiliation” than this man, with what must be constant staring and question-asking, must be blessed with the humility of Christ Himself. A surgeon can replace an eye, but a surgeon cannot make a person holy, replace a lost faith or revive a dampened spirit. And these things are more important than eyesight, or breath or life, for in these things lies a resounding truth of Heaven; that he who seems afflicted may have a faith that stands in the face of such affliction and says “though He slay me…yet I will trust in Him”. In this sort of faith, so contrary to our own bent natures, truly radical obedience can be found.

With humility and sincere respect,
Jessica Weisenfels.

OR maybe the dude’s just a sniper trying to make one eye stronger….it’s possible.