Walking by Faith, Not by SIght
Janet Perez Eckles
Reblogged May 1, 2022
April 29, 2022
Some years back, a sweet surprise waited for me in the airplane trip to Mexico. I settled in the seat beside the window, folded my white cane and stuffed it in the pocket of the seat in front of me.
Shortly after departure, the flight attendant made his way down the narrow aisle handing immigration forms. “One per family please,” he said.
After the initial announcements ended, I reached up and pressed the light to call for assistance.
“Could you please help me fill this out?” I asked the flight attendant who answered the call.
“Sure. Come with me.”
I gathered my purse, my bag, and my cane and followed him to the front of the airplane.
“You can sit here,” he said.
I settled in the seat, spacious and comfortable. I stretched out my legs, plenty of room. We finished the form and he asked if I wanted to stay in that seat. I was in first class. “Are you kidding?” I said with a silly grin, “Sure, would love that.”
Unexpectedly Delightful
After I stretched out like a queen, I began to compare. Rather than getting the medicine-size cup of water I would get in the other section of the plane, I got a fresh, cold bottle of water. Rather than the tiny bag of peanuts, I got my choice of appetizers. The trip was, well, unexpectedly delightful.
In the airplane of life, I had made that same transition. When sighted, I took tiny doses of happiness. Sampled a bit of peace now and then, received only a taste of fulfillment and tiny amounts of joy. I was stuck in second-class happiness.
You might also find yourself there on occasion. During this ugly pandemic, you might have felt stuck in that same second-class kind of world. The chaos around, the uncertainty ahead, the troubles from all sides planted you in the section where the best is not served.
But Resurrection Sunday is almost here. The majestic event shouts the truth that Jesus is alive. Not only alive, but He’s holding His hand to guide you out of the coach section of gloom into the first-class of His glory. The glory not just reserved for heaven, but for right now, right here.
When you accept His offer to occupy that seat in the VIP section of His love, the journey is secure. Even when facing painful turbulence, nothing can shake you. No event can rob your peace. No adversity can remove your security. He’s the pilot. He has the navigation of your journey in His hands. And He expects your every worry to leave your heart and be placed in His instead.
During the long journey, worry will not come back, fear will die and stress will vanish. They will because when we remain in the VIP section of God’s will, we welcome the best of life as we:
- Change our perception. Recognize we don’t find happiness; we create it. We craft it by turning the key to unlock our heart and receive the joy God offers. His desire is that we live in complete joy. And when happy moments, happy relationships, and happy results come to an end, joy remains.
- Celebrate the promise God gave. During tough moments, painful stages, it’s not our strength, but His power that lifts us up and carries us through. Relying on that guarantee is what revives joy once again.
- Call upon Him when sadness, gloom or fear draws near. Calling the powerful name of Jesus silences destructive thoughts of self-pity, loneliness and discouragement. With them out of the way, joy will glow again.
Happiness ends in time. But joy lasts as long as God’s love. He promised: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:9-11).
Let’s Pray
Father, not human happiness, but your joy is what my soul hungers for. Thank you for the promise, thank you for the joy that fills my days no matter what comes my way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What will keep you in the first-class kind of life?
Janet
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A Note From Onisha: As I was uploading Janet’s post, I was listening to a fascinating podcast about a future cure for retinal blindness. As you may know, Janet’s blindness is due to a retinal disease. A plus for me is that the experiments for this cure are being conducted in the zero gravity of space! Here is the link, Houston, We Have a Podcast.
I invite you to dance with me—celebrating one of my books, “Contagious Courage: A 30-Day Journey to Overcoming Stress and Anxiety.” Get your copy HERE and tell your friends, too.
Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.
CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.
Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.
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Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR
Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.
Old Things R New 
