Light and Momentary Troubles

Good Morning,

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.

"...light and momentary troubles..." I thought about this and wondered what, exactly, those troubles could be for those of us living a couple of thousand years after Paul wrote these words. Now, his troubles, those he faced, were greatly different than what we face...at least specifically they were. After all, his times were greatly different than those we live in today. But then, what about the CAUSE of those "light and momentary troubles" that he face and those that we face?

That, my friends, the cause of many of our "troubles" is exactly the same. It is because we "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen" as we try to live a Christian life and a Christian life style. Following Christ is causing us troubles? Well, sort of if we look at what occurs when we accept the fact that Jesus Christ was born, lived, and died for the ultimate salvation of all mankind.

When we choose to follow Jesus we are choosing to life differently from the rest of the world. That seems pretty evident, I think...doesn't it? So, how can doing that possibly cause trouble in our lives? I guess that the first thing that might cause us some challenges would be that we are considered sort of stupid by much of the world because we believe in God and in Jesus Christ. The world says that, believing in what we cannot see or hear or feel, is just not very smart, therefore, we have some trouble in our lives because of those feelings. This might even be the worst of our "light and momentary troubles" as we walk a Christian walk.

But, there are other things as well. When we choose to live, or at least TRY to live, a decent Christian life we know that we must give up certain ways of living; certain pleasures and comforts, because of their nature and what they do in our lives mentally, spiritually, and even physically. Those things that we do...and don't do...make our lives a bit more difficult sometimes than it was before we chose to follow the Savior. We don't go to this movie. We don't read that book. We go to services on Sunday, or Saturday, or Wednesday, or whatever day we choose, instead of doing something more "pleasurable" during those hours. We read the Bible and spend time in prayer, not watching some meaningless, although enjoyable, television program. Well, we could list any number of things that become different when we live as we know we should and do those things we know we ought to be doing...and DON'T do other things we know aren't as God would have us to do.

This is what I feel and hear when I read the words "our light and momentary troubles" in these verses. Because, many of the troubles and challenges and problems that we face because of our faith in God and in Jesus Christ, ARE, truly, light and momentary. The small sacrifices that we might make really amount to very little if we think about it. And the inconveniences we face are truly nothing major, for the most part.

If that is true, and I believe it is, then why in the world do we have such a difficult time actually living out the life we want to live and have chosen to live...a Christian life? I guess it boils down to our individual selfishness and desire for pleasure and physical comforts and enjoyments that the world offers. It is so easy to give in to those things that seem to make our lives easier or more pleasurable. I mean, everything that we ought NOT to do or have or give in to is right there in front of us and offered up to us to simply grab and enjoy. Then, those things we should be doing take time and effort...time and effort AWAY from the things and ways of the world.

Yes, when we choose Christ, it appears, we also choose to have some "light and momentary troubles" in our lives. For some, choosing the Lord can mean much more than what we've discussed today...even to death. But, that's not what we're talking about here. It's simply those small inconveniences that seem troublesome in our lives that seem to be troublesome.

I think that's what God is speaking to us about, at least here in this great land in which we live. Let's keep our eyes focused, as Paul reminds us, on that which is NOT seen...the Glory of God...and away from the easily noticeable ways and things of this world. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus. He is eternal!

Love, peace, and blessings,

David