Another view of “Looking out the window!” In the first article on this subject our attention was on the positive; the beauty of God’s physical world and what so many fail to see. The God-rejecter sees it all, but has no one to give thanks for it; while the believer knows from who all blessings come! In this article, it is our aim to see the other side of “Looking out the window!”
This article does not mean to forget the beauty of God’s natural order of things! In fact, it is by seeing the beauty of God’s natural order, that allows the one who is “Looking out window” to endure what is also seen! If your health is so bad, your physical abilities so limited, that you cannot go out and do what you know needs to be done! Here we are talking about the many things, which are seen as you look out the window!
So, just what is seen, as you are “Looking out the window?” You see all things that need to be done; 1) you see the areas that need to be cleaned up; 2) you see unfinished work that requires a lot of work; 3) you see the ground that needs to be prepared for Spring; 4) you see your plans that are never going to come to reality; and 5) you see outdoors that you would really like to just go out and enjoy, but cannot!
These things and others, all need our attention, but it is not to be! At least and at last, you realize you will have very little physical involvement! This brings us to the mental part of “Looking out the window” and seeing the negatives! In years, now past, it was with joy that you looked forward to engaging in such physical activities but the reality is ever on your mind now, it will not be! You will not be able to “look out the window” at the work just completed, and enjoy that feeling that you did it! Such as a little thing of looking back and seeing a straight row just cut as you mowed the yard! Here the mind goes way back to my step-grandfather, who following a horse and plow, as he picked an object at the other end of the field; and following that object, now a straight furrow is completed. A great sense of satisfaction is enjoyed just looking at a straight row, and the same is true with the mowed straight row in the back yard! Just a few days ago, a fellow preacher wrote that his yard was the “envy” of the neighborhood! Well truth be told, my yard has never been the “envy” of the neighborhood, but it has been nice to look at!
Now there is a porch that needs stain put on it; a ceiling that needs to be put up on it; dirt that needs to be moved and put where it is needed for the wife’s rose garden; the porch needs to be sealed to keep the creatures out; the driveway needs to have the sealer put on it, in order to make it last longer; a walk way that needs to be put in, from the porch to the driveway; a gutter that needs to be put up on the north side of the house to keep the rain water from running under the house; and last but not least, a metal covered gateway needs to be installed. Yes, some of these were only dreams, but now even the “dreams” are lost. These realities come before me as I “look out the window!”
You can see what, “Looking out the window,” may mean; not only seeing the beauties that God has given us, which brighten and lifts our spirits, but there is the other side of “Looking out the window!” In the same view, there is the positive and the negative! Here is a proper view of Paul’s words, so often quoted out of context: “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:12-13). The beauties of nature show God’s kindness, generosity, and love; as they remind us of our Heavenly Father taking care of those made in his image, as he sends forth the sun shine and the rain upon all equally.
On the other hand, whatever our physical state, nothing can remove us from the love of God; hear Paul just here: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). No, nothing seen as I am “Looking out the window” can take me from the love of God in Christ, from whom I get my strength; thus, I can endure “all things” and remain faithful!
In conclusion, I recall these words: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom. 8:35, 37)).
— Frank R. Williams