BE FOCUSED ON THE ETERNAL, NOT THE TEMPORAL
BE FOCUSED ON THE ETERNAL, NOT THE TEMPORAL
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. —Romans 8:18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.—II Corinthians 4:16-18
Where is our focus? Where are we fixing our eyes? Are we focusing on the seen or on the unseen— on the temporary or on the eternal? Our focus will determine how we handle trials of all kinds. Our very bodies “are wasting away” along with all creation. But what matters most is what is going on inside us— “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (II Corinthians 5:4). Oh, let us focus on our heavenly dwelling, that which is eternal and not be distracted by the temporary.
We read in Hebrews chapter 10:32-36—
“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
These followers of Jesus knew “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” That is why they endured through
- Great conflict
- Suffering
- Insults
- Persecution
- Advocating for those suffering
- Suffering with prisoners
- Joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property.
Again, why could they live like this? It is because they knew they “had better and lasting possessions.” They were “looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10) and understood—
“That they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. —Hebrews 11:13-16
So, brothers and sisters, dear fellow followers of Jesus, where is your focus— the temporary or eternal? Dear Father, may we be focused on that which is eternal, being faithful until we get there. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son and our Savior Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRSGXKsv7IU