Based on 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 (New King James Version)
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
Thomas Jefferson said: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” We have the tendency to concentrate more on the here and now than on what lies in the future. Many people make many decisions in life based on the short term. Some people choose lifelong relationships based on the momentary need or desire. Almost everything is either based on what can be obtained in the moment, or how a certain need is satisfied in a moment. And here is where the transformation needs to occur in order to have the ability to make truly wise decisions in life (which is not easy due to our environment).
The first point to understand to get there is by letting your heart (if it has been turned over to God) convince your mind. God deals with the heart first; which is the center of every human being. Once the heart is submitted, then the mind must be transformed. Typically, what happens is that the mind conquers heart, and that’s counterproductive. This is where the application of this verse comes in: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30. So, what this means is that we have to let God work in our minds (where our quote from Thomas Jefferson applies). The Bible teaches us about this, and how we need to submit our entire self to God. For it is written: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. Our current world is constantly trying to make us concentrate only in the here and now. But, God is always trying to help us understand that the bigger picture is more important. Our mind needs to be renewed. Why is it important?
If we take so seriously or so deeply what happens now, then we are doomed to fail here and after. Here is where things become quite practical and logical; because God is an extremely logical being. This world is imperfect. Our lives here are unstable. One day could be good, and another day, not so good. This world can never complete us. Our lives will always be impacted by something: sickness, poverty, loneliness, sadness, etc. Money can only solve certain problems. Fame can only fill the heart partially. Even our human relationships can be discouraging, unfulfilling and/or interrupted and cut short. And this is what God sees: This world lasts only so long, but eternity never ends. So even if your life on this planet could be perfect (which is impossible), so what? It will only last for so long.
At the same time, and for those of us who are going through tough times, thank God this world is temporary! That means that our problems and difficult circumstances will only last but a while. The imperfections of this planet will vanish one day, and God will make things new for those that put their faith and trust only in Him. And the great thing is that when we completely submit to God, we don’t have to go through this imperfect world alone. He will be with us through everything, deep in our hearts, our souls; and if we allow it, in our minds. If we allow God to work in our lives, our mental view of this temporary reality will also change. That’s where true victory begins to be experienced and we can fight off temptation and Satan’s lies. Rather than giving in to the worries and circumstances of this life, our faith will grow stronger and stronger, able to withstand anything that comes our way.
And finally, here is what God promises us in the near future: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’” Revelation 21:1-7.
If you allow for Him to work in your whole being, keeping your eyes on future things as opposed to just in the here and now, you will win now (because your decisions will be better), and more importantly, in eternity (because the decisions you make here will count then also). So, are you just concentrating on the “now” or are you looking towards the future? Lord bless! John