Today's thought:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Glen Wheeler, a preacher in Ohio, tells the very personal remembrances of his wife Evelyn. Evelyn died a few years ago. Glen says, “Do you know what I miss about Evelyn? Not the big things, but the routine little things. Like after I was finished preaching and everyone would leave we would turn off the lights and lock the front door of the church. I’d walk to the car and she would always slip her arm in mine and whisper to me, “You’re a good man Glen Wheeler.” You know what else I miss?” He says, “I miss her cooking.” And you look at Glen and know he loved to eat. She was such an excellent cook, but what I liked is that after a delicious meal she’d come around and take my plate and say, “Keep your fork Glen.” Oh, I loved to hear her say, “Keep your fork Glen.” I knew the best was yet to be.” He says, “You know what? Sometimes late at night when I am really lonely and fighting back the tears it’s then I can hear the voice of the Lord say, “Keep your fork Glen. Hold on, the best is yet to be.””
We are bound to have troubles. This world is full of hurt and troubles. Some may seem overwhelming, like loosing a spouse and finding your suddenly all alone. Financial troubles. Relationship troubles. Child troubles. Parent troubles. Job troubles. Yes, there is bound to come trouble but Paul is giving us the secret to dealing with these troubles. What we need is not a solution or an answer but a change of perspective. It is a certain perspective that says everything I see around me is only temporary but what is yet to come is eternal and thus real. How do we change our perspective? By focusing “our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” Focusing our attention on what is to come instead on what trouble we are dealing with changes our perspective about almost everything we face. We focus on Jesus and the victory that is ours in Him. As the the old hymn says, “And the things of this earth will grow strange and dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Listen to the words of Jesus, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
PRAYER: Father, help us to focus our eyes of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Place a real vision of heaven in our mind and heart so that we are reminded not on what is but what is to come. For what is can only be passing and temporary but what is to come is eternal. Let this perspective encourage us in our moment of trouble and struggle. We thank you that the best is yet to come. In Jesus name--Amen.