So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to risk anything for it? I read in a newspaper article that Michael Phelps, the swimmer who has won 14 14 career Olympic gold medals, the most by any Olympian, trains 365 days a year. He often swims at least 80,000 meters a week, nearly 50 miles. When asked how he was able to endure such an arduous training regimen, he said, “My eyes are on one medium and one long-range goal, to win the World Championship and to win gold medals in all my events during the Olympics.” You see, he was able to endure a difficult work out regimen because he was focused on something better, something he thought most valuable in his career.
What is your focus?
Paul writes in verses 16 and 17 of 2 Corinthians 4, “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.” To a person that does not have the Holy Spirit, Paul’s statement would sound ludicrous, but to someone that has the Holy Spirit and can look at what is unseen through the eyes of faith, his words are encouraging and comforting.
If the Israelites were able to fix their eyes on what was unseen, they might have been able to endure the wilderness experience. They would have seen that their momentary troubles were preparing them for life in the Promised Land. Can we do that today? Can we fix our eyes on what is unseen? Can we fix our eyes on what is eternal? Can we focus on God’s promises? His love? His presence? And the future He promises to those who accept Him as Lord and Saviour? Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs all of our troubles!
If Michael Phelps can endure so much because he believes that in the end, he COULD win championships and receive gold medals, what are you willing to endure knowing that in the end, you WILL achieve eternal life with Christ? Think about it the next time you are tempted to fret and lose hope in the face of your momentary troubles. I am in no way trying to diminish the pain that one’s troubles can bring, but when we consider them in light of eternity, they just seem to diminish in importance.
Again I ask, what is your focus?
Grace and peace be with you.
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WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS?