Read:
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.
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Consider:
“I’m exhausted!” Those are the words I recently heard from a good friend. In fact, those are words are I hear quite often from women during the Christmas season. So many things demand our attention. There are children’s parties, programs and projects at their schools we must attend or attend to. Many of us have work demands as well as business Christmas functions expecting our presence. And because it is a season of giving we are bombarded by so many good causes requesting both our time and financial support. At times, our own churches seem to add even more to add to our already full plates. What do we say “yes” to and can we even say “no”?Â
To help answer this, we can ask ourselves another good question: “where are my eyes fixed”? Previous to today’s passage, Paul writes to the church in Corinth:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
~2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Sound familiar? Paul then reminds us to “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.” (vs. 18) Our souls are eternal, everything else in our lives is temporary. The most important thing we have is our soul.Â
We need to keep this constantly in mind. When we do, our perspective changes. We begin making decisions that are best for our soul. Our perspective becomes an eternal perspective instead of a temporary one. Every decision we make should be in light of what is best for our eternal soul!
When our perspective changes to one of eternity, our thought processes and decisions change radically as well. We begin living our lives very differently. Fear disappears and boldness appears in its place. Materialism is replaced by generosity. Impatience with others disappears and patience roots itself deep within as we understand that we will spend eternity with these brothers and sisters in Christ. We learn when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.
So many things change when we are living our lives in anticipation of eternity instead of only seeing the things of this world. This can be difficult at times. But the closer we draw to Jesus, the more He changes our perspective. The closer we walk with Him, the easier it is for us to visualize our eternal future in His presence. This Christmas season as we become bombarded from all sides, let’s draw close to Jesus and learn to say “no” to those temporary things that others have made priorities in our lives and say “yes” to God’s priorities and live for the eternal!
Breathe:
Breathe in His love…exhale all your struggles…
Do you need a change in perspective? Draw close to Jesus. Keep you eyes fixed on him, the unseen and the eternal.
Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, we so often need a change in our perspective. We become weighed down by the concerns and cares of the temporary and fail to see the beautiful eternity that awaits for us. When the days are quiet and calm it’s easier to think beyond the moment and make decisions based on the eternal. But when chaos reigns, as it so often does during the Christmas season, we can find ourselves focused on only the “temporary” and completely lose sight of the most important thing~time with You. Help us remain sensitive to your Holy Spirit living within us at ALL times~even amidst the chaos~so that we can look beyond the temporary and live for the eternal. We love You and praise You for everything You do for us every day. In Your son’s precious name we pray…Amen!
Comment:
What is something you need to say “no” to this Christmas season?