Last Updated on April 7, 2018
I am expecting guests to arrive later today. My house is not ready. My laundry is not done. I am out of dish detergent and dangerously low on toilet paper. The dogs are growling at each other. And there is only a half gallon of milk in the fridge. For 10 people.
As I rush down the hall to gather dirty clothes, I glance in the mirror. Ugh. My hair is a mess, and I skipped makeup this morning. Doesn’t look like I’m ready for guests, either.
Suddenly it occurs to me that I am putting all this effort into getting the house, and hopefully my appearance, ready because my guests will see these things. I am concerned about what they will see when they arrive.
But what about the unseen? What about my attitude? What about my pride? What about my selfish thoughts? Ugh. My heart is not ready, either. My guests may not see those things, but my God does.
I take a break from dishes and dusting to sit down with my Bible, God’s Word. In 2 Corinthians 4, I read that all this stuff around me—the stuff I see—is just temporary. But there are some things—the unseen—that last forever. The chapter ends,
[verse reference=”2 Corinthians 4:16-18″]So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal[/verse]
Thinking quickly and perusing my Bible a bit more reveal some of those unseen things: God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, love, faith, hope, righteousness, peace, joy, and reconciliation to God. I’m sure there are more, but that gives me a really great start on where to focus my efforts today.
I’ll still have to do some of the seen—the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, the preparations—but only in the context of the greater unseen—God’s presence, love, and so on.
And the guests I’m expecting? My mom and dad. They’ll be happy to see me and my family!
THANK YOU. Something we all need to hear, especially when those entrusted to us are watching and learning – generations and His glory are at stake. Well said my friend.
I absolutely adore this post! The Scripture reference pulls at my heart strings!!
I’m glad you were encouraged! Thanks for reading!
So true. It’s a Mary Martha thing. Well said.
Thank you for your encouragement as I juggle two little ones. I don’t want the stresses and pressure to take my joy away and leave me with a harsh and impatient spirit with my littles. This was the second time today that God brought that verse to me. Thanks for being the vessel in which He speaks to me, telling me exactly what he wants me to hear today!
Interesting read.