In 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul tells 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”, (NIV).
It is important for us as Christ followers to always keep an eternal perspective in mind. While there are certainly difficult things we will face on earth, it is always helpful to remember that this life is temporary, and that we will not be living here forever. Personally speaking, it can be tempting for me to get caught up/worried about little things that really don’t matter that much, or, like my mom likes to say, “make a mountain out of a molehill.” I often find myself getting caught up in such small, insignificant matters that have no eternal or lasting value, AND that will likely be resolved within several days or a week. It is so easy for me to spend my time and energy worrying about things and fixating on every detail of something rather than surrendering my worries to God and trusting that HE is always taking care of me.
When I choose keep an eternal perspective in mind, the Holy Spirit reminds me of just how temporary this life is and guides me to be more mindful of how I spend my time on this earth. I can choose to spend my time worrying and stressing over every little detail of my life, OR, I can trust in God’s provision, and as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18, FIX my eyes on what is unseen. I can choose to be devoted to the purpose of the Great Commission (as we see first mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20), striving to bring as many people with me to heaven as I can (by and through the Holy Spirit’s power). I can choose to be kingdom-centered in my mind and heart, asking the Lord to fill my mind with his perspective and to help me see things as he sees them (Romans 12:2). I can choose what thoughts my mind focuses on AND what thoughts it dismisses.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ“, (NIV) (Italics added by me). Paul is telling us here that WE have the authority to DECIDE what thoughts stay in the focal point of my mind and what thoughts we take captive because they are not obedient to Christ. When I am thinking about eternity and have a kingdom-driven mindset, I know that my thoughts will be God-centered and I will be thinking about things that are pleasing and honoring to God. On the other hand, when I am thinking about the things of this world and occupying my mind with EVERY little detail of my current situations in life, I know I will have thoughts that are filled with worry and anxiety. I know that me trying to “control” everything in my life brings about thoughts within me that LACK trust in God and feeds my soul the lie that I am better at controling my life than my most loving Heavenly Father.
Friends, I know this is a bit of a longer post, but I hope you can be encouraged by it. I hope this post can remind you to focus on the kingdom of God and our eternity in heaven rather than on the things of this world. I hope you are reminded to love your neighbors and to live in constant awareness of the importance of the Great Commission, making an effort to lead as many people to Christ as you can on this earth. I hope you are reminded to love people, and to surrender the desire to “control” your life to God. I hope you know how truly cherished you are by your Heavenly Father and how much he loves to take care of you in the most gracious and intimate way. INVITE God into your life friends. INVITE him to guide your thoughts, your mind, and your perspective on life in general. Invite God into every aspect of your life (even those that seem small and insignificant), and watch him transform your mind and your heart to become more and more like his. WATCH God transform your life when you surrender your worries to him.
Concluding verses:
Matthew 6:26-27: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV; italics added by me.)
1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”, (NIV).
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