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Eternal or Temporal Perspective?– It’s a choicE!

“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” (II Corinthians 4:18).

For the most part, we’ve been lulled into living for the here and now… those things we can see and physically experience. We begin believing that there couldn’t possibly be more to life than what’s in front of us, because the unseen can’t be experienced in the physical. 

Stop and think about this perspective for a moment. We who are finite, living on this earth for a relatively short period of time, have a very limited view compared to that of God the Father, Who is infinite, our Creator, Who loves us more than we can comprehend, sending His only Son, Jesus, to be an example of what it looks like to live life well and pay the penalty for man’s sin.

Our Father God is calling us to a life lived for the unseen: the eternal. He is calling us out of the cycle of worldly pursuit into a greater calling of eternal significance. To live for heaven is to cast off that which is fleeting and temporary and seek that which can only be found with our heavenly Father. “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Read what Paul prayed for those in the church at Ephesus from Ephesians 1:18-20 ~ “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness in His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”

What does it mean for our heart to have eyes? And what does it mean to be enlightened? The truth is, you have been given spiritual eyes. You know and experience things that can’t be physically seen. If you’re a believer, you’ve received and given love of some sort, and you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who longs to guide you to a perspective that far exceeds the temporal perspective of this world, which is the hope of His calling! 

Our time on this earth is for a short time (life is but a vapor – James 4:14)

Our eternal home is in the presence of God (our citizenship is in heaven - Philippians 3:20) 

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” ~ John 14:2-3 

All the sadness and pain of this world will be no longer because “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ~Revelation 21:4 

Giving the believer every reason to “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” ~ Proverbs 16:3

Choose to have an eternal perspective rather than a temporal one like most people, and you’ll find that it’s possible to live life with little to no regret! 

Prayer: Father, I ask that Your Spirit enlighten the eyes of my heart. Give me spiritual insight into my life and others in a way that encourages living life for You! Help me cast off all pursuits that are fleeting and temporary and replace them with pursuits that bring You honor and glory. I ask that Your Spirit guide me into a lifestyle of seeking You and Your Kingdom above all else! Amen

  An MCHA Stop~n~Think - 10.30.2026 - Courtesy of  MCHA Ministry Coordinator Tim Chastain