Focus…

It happens so often. I speak to someone and ask the question, “How’s it going?” or “How are you doing?” Often times, the response relates to some struggle, pain, discomfort, or trial the person is experiencing. Almost always the struggle and the pain is genuine. What is often also clear…is that the pain is winning.

Struggles in life are always certain. Jesus promised these pressures (Greek word- thylipsis) would be part and parcel of our daily lives (John 16:33). The Scriptures bear numerous accounts of these struggles in the lives of God’s people. Somehow though, many of God’s people seem surprised by these struggles and many of these seem to be defeated by them.

What is the answer? Does God intend for our lives to be miserable, painful existences here for 70, 80, or 90 years until we finally get to heaven? Are the troubles too big for God? If God really loves us… then why does He permit our suffering?

Here are two truths:

• Struggles are a non-negotiable part of life. [Full Stop]
• Jesus came that we would [present tense] have life and have it to the full! (John 10:10b) [Full Stop]

Somehow, these two truths must be reconcilable (no matter how difficult to do so).

The Apostle Paul indicates that these truths are reconciled in our attitude and approach…our focus:

5For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

      7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death works in us, but life in you.

      13But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

      16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we 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. (2 Cor 4:5-18, NASB)

Paul’s suffering (a suffering for the gospel by the way…and not the consequence of unwise or sinful choices on his part) was extreme…yet He considered it “momentary and light affliction” that produces a “weighty glory beyond comparison” (v.17).

Paul’s focus was on the future days in His eternal reality. He looked to heaven and to eternity. In comparison with these realities and in light of the expansive Kingdom of God…His sufferings seemed light and temporary.

Furthermore, Paul’s motivation was eternity but His purpose (as He seems to understand it) is to produce life in others (v.12). Follow the flow of thought if you will: The glory of God (light) shines out of darkness (Paul’s sufferings) and produces life in others even as it produces death in him. And that is ok…even desired by Paul.

My reflections on this today are multi-faceted:

• First…I focus more on my own sufferings that I should. This is a product of my fallen nature and an area of my life that must be mastered. How about you?
• Second…my focus must be on eternity. “No one gets out alive,” and no one stays here forever. This world and the sufferings of it are a temporary state.
• Third…my suffering, if approached with the right focus may result in death in me but also life in others. I am convinced that the “cotton candy and unicorns” image of life as a Christian that many try to sell is damaging to the witness of His people, since it is disconnected from reality. The world we are purposefully desiring to win for Christ cannot relate to this “pie in the sky” fantasy that if you believe enough and sow enough faith seed then you’ll have only good things in your life! Why should they believe it? After all, our King was crucified! Yes…but He was raised from the dead you may say…which is true…but the resurrection followed the crucifixion.

So, choose. Choose today to focus on reality…on the existence that transcends…then purposefully yield to whatever it takes for light to shine in darkness through you today.