Focus on the Unseen

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So 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)

Thoughts: In life there is the part we see and the part we do not see.  The part of life we see will not last.  Outwardly we get old, slow, and die away.  The beautiful, strong, fast, and intelligent are not able to maintain their outward appearance- but they can become more and more beautiful on the inside.  In Paul's case, the ship wrecks, stonings, and prison were wearing on him.  Paul says here that the pains we suffer here so visibly, do not compare to the rewards we get in heaven.  Paul says we need to focus on what will last and is unseen versus what will fade and we see.  This is where hope lies.  Hope, meaning and purpose does not lie in the temporary that we currently see but disappears in the long-run.  Rather Hope, meaning and purpose means focusing on God and His reward.  There are those who say that if we are heavenly minded we will do no earthly good.  But C.S. Lewis rightly points out that many who made real changes in this world were focused on heaven (like Wilberforce and Newton who helped conquer the slave trade).   If we focus on heaven we see that things can improve and our hope gives us strength to change things here.  Certainly Paul changed the world.  

Prayer: Lord, may my focus be on you.  Let me not be consumed with the surface, but what is deep- in my soul. 

Above- Lauren Bacall early and later; Jack Nicholson young and old.
Outwardly we waste away- but inwardly we can be renewed day by day.