Eternal Perspective

This morning, let’s focus on eternity.  Sounds nice, but this is not going to get the laundry done, the kids to school, the report finished for your boss, or your research paper turned in.  I know, it sounds a bit flighty, but stay with me.

Stuff happens.  We have heard a variety of slogans with this theme.  The idea is that somehow everything that comes our way is a product of fate or chance, but not purpose.  Yet, the Lord promises that everything that comes our way has the power to form us for the life we were meant to live, which is beyond the one here:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We begin this passage with a reminder not to lose heart.  Is this a threat? Are there things that happen to us and in us that cause us to lose heart?  We are reminded to stay in the game and understand that this life is not all there is.

Paul goes on and talks about “light and momentary troubles.”  This is never to make light of anyone’s struggle.  Paul understood this all too well.  He wrote this letter in the middle of his own persecution and despair. However, he is still able to consider the trouble he is facing as momentary and light.  Momentary in the context of eternity.  Paul knew that anything that he lives through God has the ability to use for his growth.

Paul understood something critical about difficulty: it achieves God’s goals.  The same principle holds true in our own lives. Every frustration and difficulty has the opportunity to form you in the deepest places of your heart.  It is a matter of sight.  We are commanded to “fix our eyes.”  Let’s focus on eternity this morning.  How are you going to gain hold of the perspective described in verse 18?

What do you suppose you are missing by only seeing what you can see, while the most glorious work of all goes undetected?  How can you have faith to see what you are dealing with as temporary? Seeing things from this perspective is the only way to make sure that your life today makes a difference in eternity.  What things will you do today that make a difference eternally?

Lord, do not let me dismiss this idea.  Eternity provides the context for my temporary life here.  Let me be diligent to find you purposes in everything that I encounter.  Help me to focus my eyes on that which I cannot see—so that I do not miss you in the middle of my life.  This is difficult for me to think like this, but this is where Your perspective begins, so I will trust you.  Amen.