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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
This is a good verse to memorize. So often I find myself in situations where I feel overwhelmed or frustrated because I am not doing a good job or someone is frustrated at me and if I can remember this…in that moment I can smile. I forget it though. All the time, I forget it. LORD, WRITE IT ON MY HEART. I choose to be pressured, to be burdened by losing weight, pleasing others, being the best mom in other people’s eyes, getting the laundry done, saying the right thing and blah, blah. All of these things are good in a since…when my motives are focused on the eternality of it all, but so often it is not. I could lie to you all and say that I am good and I do good things, but there is no good in me alone. Christ is my only hope of glory. Thank God (literally) that he saved me from me, but I still let my flesh win occasionally.
What would your life look like if you were burdened by NOTHING. I don’t know if I can comprehend that. I think in our culture people might think there is something wrong with you if you don't carry burdens…it’s almost like a competition for who can be the most burdened and busy. I think it is good to be busy and to work hard, but God has something special for us in our busy lives…
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-29
That is good news to me.
How do we begin to live like this, because it sounds so good, right? It is so unnatural for us to walk around with a light and easy burden and to focus on the eternal and watch our “light and momentary troubles” become just that “light and momentary”. How do we achieve an “eternal glory that far outweighs them all”? I want a life like that!
I think it requires some action…
FIX YOUR EYES-we must stop looking at the temporary…look for what God is doing and what he could do in EVERY situation.
COME TO ME- we must come to God. Read the word, pray, listen.
TAKE- receive what God has for you. Let him do a work in you. Open your heart.
I think that Romans 12:1-2 offers some sound advice as far as this is concern as well…
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Choose to focus on the eternal, take the yoke of the Lord, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, not conform to this world, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. I double dog dare you.
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