Seeing the Whole Picture

Have you ever seen a four-eyed fish? I viewed a dozen of them recently at an aquarium in Newport, Kentucky. Inside a fish-tank labeled "Large Scale Four Eyes" were some of the strangest-looking fish I've ever seen. Their dark brown bodies glided below the water-line, while their eyes protruded through the surface like round bubbles floating on top of the water.

The fish actually have only two eyes, but a narrow membrane separates the upper and lower halves of the eyes. Each half contains a separate pupil, iris, and cornea, but the retina and lens are divided to allow for the different way light behaves in air and in water. As a result, these remarkable fish simultaneously can see above and below the water equally well.

Fishermen take note: It can be very difficult to catch a fish that sees you first!

The technical name for the fish is Anableps, from the Greek for "up-looking." The fish has a clear view of the water below, but at the same time, it's always looking up.

There's a metaphor here for the Christian life. God wants us to see clearly what's happening around us. We don't deny our troubles; we expect them, for the Lord said, "in this world you will have tribulation." But, there's more to life than what we see here below. The Bible tells us to look up, set our hearts on things above, and recognize that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).

It's hard to have faith when you look at life below the waterline. When Job looked at the graves of his sons and daughters, when he rubbed his hand over his body covered with painful boils, when he remembered all the possessions he'd lost and the blessings he no longer enjoyed, questions about the fairness of God flooded his mind. But when Job saw things from Heaven's perspective, he learned three lessons we should heed as well.

Brace yourself. The Lord said, "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me" (Job 38:3). Do you really want to take on God in a debate? Then get ready to face some questions no mortal can answer. "Where were you," God asked, "when I created the universe and its constellations, designed the oceans, formed the snow and ice in the polar regions, and filled the earth with living things as varied as mountain goats, ostriches, horses, and hawks?"

Quiet yourself. Job responded, "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more" (Job 40:4, 5). It isn't wrong to question, but some answers can't be found on this side of eternity. Sometimes the wisest course of action is simply to be silent.

Humble yourself. Job's arms were too short to box with the Lord Almighty. Confronted with the surpassing wisdom of God, he repented "in dust and ashes" (Job 42:1-6). Then after Job braced himself, quieted himself, and humbled himself, "the Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first" (Job 42:12).

Look down at this world, and there's plenty of ugliness and misery to behold. But you'll only see the total picture if, at the same time, you keep looking up.