“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (RSV)
On the topic of momentary afflictions, I recently read a story about a man named Michael Mencer from New Jersey. As a boy he had vision problems and headaches that started around the age of seven. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Macular degeneration, a rare but incurable eye disease. His eyesight was 20/400, and he was never able to look straight ahead, because his eyes permanently deviated to the side. His mother prayed for him every day to be cured.
One day, when school was out, his 3rd grade teacher at the Catholic school he attended, handed him a prayer card and a memento coin as a token reminder that she was praying for him, and to encourage him to pray and trust God for healing.
On the way home, Michael tried to read the words on the prayer card but it was too hard for him to read, with his flawed vision. While walking home from school, he glanced once more at the prayer card and suddenly, he could see and read it perfectly.
When he came home, he walked directly to his mother and handed her the prayer card and the coin his teacher gave him. His mother noticed in that moment that his eyes looked different, and were not deviated to the side, but bright and sparkling as he looked directly at her. Michael was completely and miraculously healed that day.
His mother took him to his ophthalmologist, who examined him and confirmed that his vision was 20/20. He sent him to other specialists, who examined him with his medical records, and they all agreed that he was cured, although it was medically unexplainable.
Michael’s friends and family describe him as a quiet, caring, and humble man of faith, who didn’t complain about anything. At 30 years old, Michael was diagnosed with cancer. He never married, never had children, and was in and out of hospitals for the treatment of cancer, for the rest of his life. He passed away at 61 after complications from surgery.
As I read his story, I wondered why such a wonderful story of healing would end a life at the age of 61, but his story didn’t end, because it is still talked about, inspiring people everywhere. It’s natural to ask why God did not heal Michael of his cancer, just as He healed his macular degeneration. It’s hard to find the answer but God’s thoughts are above our thoughts. Paul reminds us not to focus on the things that are seen but on the things that are unseen.
Michael had 53 years to live his life with healed eyes and 20/20 vision. He was a humble witness of God’s love, kindness, and His power to heal today. He lived in contentment and humility, in spite of his cancer. His story of healing still touches many people, including the medical personnel who treated him.
Sometimes the rewards and blessings that God has for those who believe, are not just for this temporary life. Some rewards are waiting to be given on the other side of eternity. God always has a deeper purpose for us, in any trial we face in this life. We may never fully understand His ways, but He cares about every detail of our being.
Paul said that “slight momentary afflictions prepare us for an eternal glory that is beyond comparison.” Paul refers to the troubles of this life as momentary, in comparison to eternity.
True success is not measured by the rewards we are able to see, like longevity or prosperity in one’s life. Paul reminds us not keep looking at what is seen but to focus on things that are unseen, like the rewards to be received in eternity. It’s why Jesus told us to store up eternal treasures that can never be destroyed.
Lord, increase our faith to trust not only in what we see but what cannot be seen, and to store up treasures that will endure for eternity. Amen
