Bible Reading: Exodus 16; Job 34; Luke 19; 2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 4:18 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.
Where is your focus? How far down the road are you looking? For most people it depends on their age and station in life as to where their dreams and goals lie. As small children you may not be looking any farther than later in the day when you can go outside and play. Maybe a birthday or Christmas is as far away as you can see. Then when you get a little older you start aiming for times of more freedom like a driver's license and a first car or to graduation from high school. Then all the focus is on where you will go to college and the job you will get. Who you will marry and where you will live enter into that picture at that time as well. When you get out of college it is all about career and home. Then the focus is on building a home and a family…
But all of these are things which are seen! What about the Bible's emphasis on looking on the things that are eternal? How do we look to the eternal and live with our sighs fixed on things that are not seen? We begin with Jesus and his word.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Jesus is eternal and so is his word. When we fix our eyes on Jesus and listen intently to his word, we are focusing on that which is eternal. We must also realize that people are eternal. Every man, woman, boy and girl will live forever. The question is whether they will live forever in heaven or in hell. So when we focus on relationships we are looking at that which will last.
When we have our eyes fixed on eternal things, it changes our priorities. Now instead of focusing on who we will marry we are seeking God for a husband or wife who is born again and will work together with us to live for the kingdom. We will not focus on the career that offers the most money or prestige, but on what the Lord wants for us to do. Our educational choices and entertainment choices will be affected. Most importantly we will view people as souls for whom Christ died and we will seek to win them to Christ.
Will you allow God to transform your mind and live for that which is eternal?
In Christ,
Rody
