THINGS UNSEEN

Life is a Vapor                                                                                      

“...the things that are unseen are eternal."

The Scriptures are replete with examples of the transient nature of life. At the same time, God’s Word reminds us over and over again that, while our lives will one day come to an end, we have to look forward to an eternal home prepared for those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. Life is but a vapor in comparison to the measureless span of eternity.

It is the nature of man to place his focus in the here and now. Life’s circumstances often hold us captive, making it easy to lose sight of the eternal blessing that awaits. I’m particularly thinking of:

• Health problems, disease, handicaps, infirmities;
• Family problems, rebellious children, abuse and neglect, broken relationships, etc.;
• Financial problems, loss of wages, overdue bills, repossessions, law suits, etc.

All of these and so much more tend to cloud our view. When trouble knocks at our door, we quickly become owners of it, identifying our very selves with our troubles, taking on the persona of one who has become one with their circumstances. Although we all do this to some degree or another, it’s not what God has intended for His people!

We are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! Although situations and circumstances will always exist in our lives, we must stop viewing ourselves as being one with our troubles in life as if they have somehow robbed us of our identity in Christ! Instead, we must hold fast to our confession. Not to deny or ignore our pain or misfortune, but to put our circumstances in perspective to our kinship with the Redeemer.

Please understand I’m not advocating the “hyper-faith” confession that is prevelant in many Christian circles. However, I AM advocating living according to who we are in light of Whose we are.

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians laid it out quite plainly — he wasn’t one to mince words. He said, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are momentary, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (v. 4:18). In other words, the challenges, situations, circumstances, pain, and affliction are all working to prepare us for eternity. Emphasis is on eternity, not on our hardships and pain.

We are eternal creatures, formed and fashioned by the Master’s own hand in His own image. God is eternal and such is the state of man. Our time on earth is fleeting and preparation for an “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” When we remember that, it will be easy to stop seeing ourselves as the victim of our circumstances. We will live as eternal beings here on earth for a season to serve as Ambassadors of a Heavenly Kingdom, preparing to rule and reign with the King throughout eternity.

“...What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14).