A Heavenly Perspective

The Apostle Paul penned the above words to the Church at Corinth. It’s important that we understand that he was the one who wrote them, because it gives them even more impact. When we think of the Apostle Paul and what he suffered for sake of the Gospel of Christ, we would hardly consider his afflictions to be ‘light and momentary.’ Quite the opposite in fact.

Let me remind you of Paul’s story thus far. He has been imprisoned, beaten, whipped, stoned, rejected by both Gentiles and Jews, misunderstood by the Christians, shipwrecked and has had to contend with both conflicts without and fears within. He has been in constant danger and has had to endure hunger, thirst and cold (2 Corinthians 7 and 2 Corinthians 11).

Was Paul in deception or denial when he referred to the things he suffered as merely ‘light and momentary’? Or did he simply see what we often cannot see – a glorious future that makes present struggles fade in comparison? O to have such a perspective! If we did, wouldn’t we walk the road of discipleship with much more resolution and tenacity!

Charles D Tillman wrote a song called ‘When I get to the end of the way’ and I believe that he well identified with words of Apostle Paul in today’s scripture. He doesn’t deny that the Christian life has many challenges, nor that it doesn’t weary us at times, but he certainly had a heavenly perspective. His focus, like Paul’s, was on things above, rather than things below. A person with a perspective such as this is a formidable force. May the words of the 3rd verse of Tillman’s hymn resound in your mind as you start your day. May I also remind you that Jesus is with you and is committed to seeing you finish your race?

He loves me too well to forsake me,
Or give me a trial too much;
All His people have been dearly purchased,
And Satan can never claim such.
By and by I shall see Him and praise Him,
In the city of unending day;
And the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way.

Prayer: Father God, please help me to keep a heavenly perspective at all times. Thank You that You are with me, and will provide all I need to finish the race You’ve set before me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.