What do you see?

What do you see ?

In the picture above what is the first thing you see. A broken clay jar? Or darkness inside the jar? Or a light shining through the dark broken jar ? It matters what you see. What you see changes the whole perspective.

I often see the half glass empty than the half glass full . I often focus on what I don't have than what I have . I often linger on my darkness .

But as I was meditating through 2 Corinthians  chapter 4 I was amazed at apostle Paul- the way he sees things . The way he see his earthly life through the heavenly lens.

He says in 2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

He says that his afflictions are light . Really?

As we read through 2 Corinthians 11:23‭-‬27 the terms which described his afflictions are- been put in prison, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again, thirty-nine lashes. Three times  beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked,adrift at sea, danger from rivers and from robbers, danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles, danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas,dangers from believers, sleepless nights, hungry and thirsty ,  shivered in the cold, without enough clothing .

Wow I have never been any time closer to any of these afflictions and still my tiny trails seems like a heavy burden which lingers forever.

Paul really had a heavenly lens with him . What was it that he was seeing ?

One thing I understood is that- when we keep our afflictions all alone on a weighing scale it seems heavier and unable to bear . But as we put the eternal weight of glory on the other side the afflictions becomes lighter and for a moment .

Yes thats how Paul sees everything.

1. As we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:1 

He sees God's mercy much greater and heavier than any of his losses.Gods abundant  mercy which led us from death to life .

2. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

He sees God's light much greater and heavier than any of his darkness. Light of gospel ,light of knowledge of glory of God  which is shone in our heart, light of God's word.

3. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7

He sees the power of God in him than his own weakness. He sees the treasure of gospel inside the broken clay jar.

4. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:11

He not only carries the death of Jesus but also manifests the life of Jesus. Often we show only the death  through our life . Often we show only the sorrows and hide the life that is joy, peace and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16

He sees the inner man renewing than outer man perishing . Only when the outer is broken can the inner renew.

6. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

He sees what is unseen and is permanent than what is seen and temporary. He sees faith than fear .

7. knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
2Corinthians 4:14 

He sees the hope we have in Jesus . The hope of resurrection ,the hope of eternal life.

Paul the chosen vessel , broken through afflictions to reflect God's light and glory is abounding in thankfulness for all he could see through faith.

So what do we see ? Are we focusing only on the afflictions and brokenness ? Can we borrow Paul's lens and see the weight of eternal glory of God. Can we see Gods mercy, God's light , God's treasure , God's power, God's life , the renewal , the faith , the hope and be abounding in thankfulness .Such perspective enabled Paul to endure the brokenness and shine forth for His Saviour.

May God help us to see our earthly life through heavenly lens and help us to shine forth the light of gospel God has entrusted us with.