November 21, 2020 SEEING THE UNSEEN
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not loose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory for beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
There is no doubt that we can easily spend the majority of our time and energy working for and pursing what is seen-the material or temporal; to be focused on the material or on fulfilling our wants, is to miss what God has for us both now and for eternity. A harsh reality that many want to deny, is that our outer man-our physical body-is decaying. (You would not sell many books written on that subject!) Yet, as dreadful as that sounds, it is beneficial and wise to realize that we have ‘X’ number of days on this earth and to accept and welcome the cycle of life that God has designed. The fantastic news is that our inner man does not have to be subject to decay, but instead can be renewed day by day. We need to know that our life is so much bigger than our ‘flesh and bones’ and that there is abundant life to be found in what is unseen. With our eyes, we do not see God, or love, or peace, or hope, or all of the things that are of God’s kingdom, but certainly these things are for more important than what we see with our natural eyes. Sure, we will face trials and difficulties here on earth-but that is not to define us or cause us to stop seeing the unseen. (Another subject, but many of our trials are not a result of our faith in action.) If during our battles, we stay focused on the eternal, if we look on what is not seen, it will produce for us “and eternal weight of glory for beyond all comparison.” It truly is a critical issue where we put our focus. Why focus on what is temporal? I think that deep down man knows that there is the eternal, yet he sets out to seek the here and now. After all said and done, it comes down to a heart issue; what is most important to us-what do we believe about God-do our actions line up with what we say we believe-what is the source of our joy-and what is our chief pursuit in life. These questions are not to put guilt on us, but are meant to point us to that which leads to life. Being focused on what is not seen does not mean that we do not enjoy the present, or enjoy God’s creation, but rather, being focused on the unseen is the doorway to abundant life in the here and now. Let us remember that first and foremost, we are spiritual beings destined and designed to spend eternity with God; we are a spirit who has a body. This short time on earth is part of the process of transforming us and getting ready for the glorious life we will enjoy with our Father in heaven. So, let us be good stewards of our life on this earth and let us enjoy what God provides, but let our focus be firmly set on the unseen-the things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9 “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ears not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Luke 12:15 “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’”
Blessings,
Buddy
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