As I was beginning to prepare for my next message to my congregation, I realized that I had left my Bible at the church. Fortunately for me, and maybe even for you, I had a back up Bible on my bookshelf at home. It was a Bible that my father had begun marking for me.
One of the Scriptures I was looking up was in the book of 2 Corinthians. When I opened to the passage, my eyes were pulled to the margins. This is the note that I saw, “Son, when things seem darkest remember the things that are unseen are eternal.”
What a wonderful message for me. As days seem to be long, drawn out, tiring, and even dark…I tend to focus on my own abilities to get me through. I think, “If I could work a little more…”, “If I could push myself harder…”. But it’s not about me. It’s not about what I can do. Because there is nothing that I can produce or build that will last.
The only things that will last are the things that are unseen. The actions of the heart. The message of the gospel. The love of God and the mercy that He shares with each of us. God has given us so many things to thankful for, but as a human, I am so driven by my own ability, instead of his power.
You see, I can spend my entire life working to build programs, or buildings for the “ministry”. But no matter what, those things will not remain…they will one day, disappear and fade away. There is nothing I can do to make a difference.
The difference is made when I let God move and use me for His glory. “So we fix our eyes not on what is see, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)
I am grateful for the example that my father gave. Although he was able to build new churches, and programs in new areas, some of those have continued and some have disappeared. But one thing that remains is the lives that God changed because of his willingness to be used.
Thanks dad. You continue to be a blessing.
Amos (Andy)