Today as I write I am sitting on the lanai of a condo on Sanibel Island. Sanibel is a place many call paradise. It truly is a beautiful place with palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze, the sound of the waves hitting the shore and the magnificent variety of seashells which are scattered along the shoreline. I can hear squeals of delight from children playing in the sand as they run back and forth by the waves. For a few days I am blessed to call this place home. However, just because you’re staying in a place which is like paradise doesn’t mean it is.
For instance, while Sanibel is beautiful, it is also home to many, many almost invisible insects called noseseums and they are nasty little buggers that bite you, but you may not know it until you have welts and non-stop itching. Some people are not bothered at all by them, but I happen to be one of those who are allergic and the bites make me miserable. I’ve been awake half the nights we’ve been here because of the itching. I’ve done my best to avoid them and have taken the necessary precautions to prevent these pesky little characters from feasting on me including spraying my legs with insect repellent containing DEET, but somehow I end up with more bites. I went to CVS to ask the pharmacist what he recommended and purchased some anti-itch lotion, but it doesn’t work very well. Needless to say, life isn’t always paradise even in a place which looks like paradise.
My battle with the noseeums is nothing compared to the struggles many of you are dealing with on a daily basis. We all have trials, troubles and suffering. Some of you are facing the biggest trial of your life at this very moment. Maybe you have lost a job, or a loved one. Perhaps you are struggling with an illness or battling an addiction and are feeling defeated. No matter what you are going through, as a child of the King, true paradise is coming. A place where there is no more suffering or pain. The temporary things which we sometimes call paradise are just that… TEMPORARY and FLAWED. Adam and Eve knew what true Paradise was, but as a result of their fall and the entry of sin into the world, all of mankind lost their right to the original Paradise.
The good news is Jesus changed it all. Jesus’ death made it possible for us to once again live a life of eternity in Paradise. Remember the thief on the cross who had no hope, but was given hope because he believed Jesus was the Son of God ? Jesus told him, ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Life in this world will hand us circumstances which seem unbearable, but the promise of hope and faith in Jesus Christ is a healing balm which will soothe the soul. Many times people say God will never give you more than you can handle, but that isn’t in scripture. What God does promise is He will never leave you alone.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you, he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
For the unbeliever in Christ, this world is the only heaven they will ever receive. Incredibly sad, but true. Their paradise consists of temporary fulfillment, not eternal happiness.
Our true paradise is coming! Everything which has broken our hearts, given us great struggles and made us question why, will be gone. Our tears will be wiped away and we will stand in the presence of our God in our permanent paradise, Heaven.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
This place is not our paradise. Yes, there are some places in the world which mimic paradise, but it will never compare to the place Jesus has been working on for over two thousand years. Whatever, you are struggling with today, know you are loved by the Father. Just as Jesus did not forget the thief on the cross, he hasn’t forgotten you and I.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” – Psalm 31:24
I was just in Sanibel. It would have been so fun to meet you there <3 I love your perspective and your vulnerability.
Hi, Caroline! Did you love Sanibel? How were the noseeums? They are so pesky! It would have been nice to meet you too! Where do you usually stay when you are on the island? I love everything but the noseeums. 🙂 Thank You for your kind words!
I love how you remind me to look up and beyond myself. This is not our home. No matter how much we enjoy it here our eyes always need to be on heaven. Thank you!!
Hi, Christia! Thank You for your encouraging words, and I am grateful this is not our home. I’m looking forward to heaven and truly being home for the first time!
The trick is to enjoy the good as much as possible, knowing that happiness comes and goes.
Hi, Alice! This is great advice! Happiness is a state of mind…We can choose to be happy or miserable. I will choose happy!
It’s so interesting that you would share this perspective. Yesterday I shared a testimony of which so many of my friends and family were completely unaware of. They had no idea that me, a person they’ve known for 20 years or more, battled with severe depression. Truly we each battle our own “noseeums.”
Hi, Erin! Wow! What a testimony and how freeing to be able to come out of the cage. There have been times when I have been in that cage due to abuse and there was nothing more powerful or freeing than when I let myself out! I’m adding you to my prayer journal and praying for you as you find your peace.
this looks like paradise to me, just what the dr ordered
Hi, Terri! It was beautiful I have to admit, but sometimes it isn’t what it seems.
A great life lesson learned from life’s inconveniences, love your heart for the Lord!
Hi, Samantha! Thank You so much for your kind and encouraging words. I pray I am always a reflection of His love. I’m perfect by no means, but always trying to be better.
In regard to “noseeums”, I encouraged the girls at our church camp a couple of weeks ago to pray for each other. We never really know what other people are going through. I am definitely one of those people who seem to live in paradise, but there’s things people don’t see. Pray for your friends today!
Hi, Ruth! Prayer is so important and what a gift we give to each other when we pray for one another. I hear what you are saying about Paradise too! I’m praying for you today, friend!
It may not always be perfect – but as long as we have Jesus….
Hi, Andrea! You are so right..Jesus makes all the difference 🙂
It may not always be paradise, but as long as God is always with us
Amen to that Andrea!
Beautiful article my friend! True paradise awaits us!
Hi, Toni! Thank You and you are right…True paradise does await us! I’m looking forward to that day!
Sheila, a year ago this month, my hubby and I did some camping at Ft. DeSoto Park which is just south of St. Pete. It was beautiful. The days were sunny and the evenings balmy…a real paradise…but I was eaten alive! So I know exactly what you are talking about! I thought mosquito bites were itchy, until I experienced those no-see-ums. Love your analogy. True paradise won’t be experienced until we are walking those sunny shores with Jesus! What a great thing to look forward to! Thanks for sharing. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy! Thank You for understanding my plight of the no-see-ums! It was awful, but God always teaches me a lesson in all of it! I am looking forward to our true paradise where I can walk in freedom and not have to worry about those pesky critters! Blessings to you!
I love the title of this post. Great analogy, too. I recently had an experience w bedbugs I picked up when I stayed somewhere. Miserable. But, nothing compared to what some people face. I’ve been handed tough circumstances at times. I am so glad I have hope.
Hi, Sheila!
I’m so sorry! They are both miserable for sure, but we can look forward to our True Paradise with Jesus where no bug can bother us again! Blessings!
Hi Sheila,
I’m glad you are on Sanibel. I’m not glad about the noseeuums!. No fun! I love the anaologies you draw from life experiences.
Hi, Cathy!
Thanks for your constant encouragement! Sometimes, I wish I knew why God created those little buggers, but if everything was cursed when man fell that explains it! Love you!