This morning, lets focus on eternity.  Sounds nice, but this is not going to get the laundry done, the kids to school, the report for my boss, or my research paper turned in.  I know, it sounds a bit flighty, but stay with me.

Stuff happens.  We have heard a variety of slogans with this theme.  The idea is that somehow everything that comes our way is a product of fate or chance, but not purpose.  Yet, the Lord promises that everything that comes our way has the power to form us for the life we were meant to livebeyond the one here!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We begin this week with a reminder not to lose heart.  Is this a threat? Are there things that happen to us and in us that cause us to lose heart?  We are reminded to stay in the gamethis life is not all there is.

Paul then, talks about light and momentary troubles.  This is never to make light of anyones struggle.  Paul understood this.  He is writing this in the middle of his own persecution and despairthose are his words from the previous chapter.  But he is still able to consider them momentary and light.  Momentary in the context of eternity.  He knows that anything that he lives throughGod will use.  But anything that takes his life cannot take his life.

Paul understands something critical about difficultyit achieves Gods goals.  We are no different in this.  Every frustration and difficulty has the opportunity to form you in the deepest places.  It is a matter of sight.  We are commanded to fix our eyes.  This is how we began this morning.  Lets focus on eternity.  How are you going to get the perspective of verse 18.

What do you suppose you are missing by only seeing what you can seewhile the most glorious work of all goes undetected?  How can you have faith to see what you are dealing with as temporary?  Only in light of what is to come!  Seeing this is the only way to make sure that your life today makes a difference in eternity.  What things will you do today that make a difference eternally?

Lord, do not let me dismiss this idea.  Eternity provides the context for my temporary life here.  Let me be diligent to find you purposes in everything that I encounter.  Help me to focus my eyes on that which I cannot seeso that I do not miss You in the middle of my life.  This is difficult for me to think like this, but this is where Your perspective begins, so I will trust you.  Amen.

• Looking through the lens of your One Word, how has God used temporary events of this past year to make an eternal impact on your life and the life of those around you?

• What is one thing you are currently facing which could serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness if you step out in faith by reflecting your One Word?

Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010.  If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!