We often get bogged down by the things of this world, but we need to have a shift in our perspective.
Earthen Vessels and Eternal Glory
We began by turning to 2 Corinthians 4. The core of this message is found in verses 17 and 18:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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.”
The “meat” of the word today is this: Your struggles are real, but they are “light” and “momentary” when compared to the Prize. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, and though we may be troubled or perplexed, we are never in despair because we know what is waiting for us.
The Perspective of Heaven
To really understand why our earthly struggles seem small, we have to look at the passage from Hebrews 11. We looked at the heroes of faith who “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). They weren’t focused on their current hardships because they “desired a better country, that is, an heavenly” (Hebrews 11:16).
When you realize how great Heaven is—when you truly grasp the “better and enduring substance” mentioned in Hebrews 10:34—the trials of this life start to lose their weight. You can even “take joyfully” the difficult things because you know you have a reward that can never be taken away.
Running for the Prize
Finally, we are reminded to keep our eyes on the goal. Like it says in Hebrews 12:1-2, we must:
“…run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus endured the cross because of the joy—the Prize—that was set before Him. If He could endure the cross for the joy of reaching us, surely we can endure our “light afflictions” for the joy of reaching Him.
My Challenge to You
This week, when life feels heavy and the path feels muddy, stop looking at the “seen” things. Look at the “unseen.” Remind yourself that Heaven is so great, so vast, and so beautiful that every tear and every struggle on this earth will seem like nothing the moment we step into His presence.
Keep pressing toward the mark! The Prize is worth it!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So 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.
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 21:4-5,7 NIV
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.