So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. (2 Cor. 4:18)
“Excuses only satisfy those who make them.” My mother used to say that phrase to me over and over again. Those words of advice or admonishment usually came in the middle of my complaining or failing to do something she had asked me to do. But she was right.
Paul encountered great hardships. He suffered from a consistent torment that some have speculated to be an eye disease. He experienced beatings and whippings that cut his flesh and surely left gruesome scars. In all his difficulties, Paul persevered. He did pray that God would remove certain things, but he remained focused no matter what the answer. Paul made no excuses. He viewed the scars as a testimony to life’s hardships as long as he was on earth, but he chose to focus on the perfect completeness he would experience in eternity.
Perhaps you have suffered some debilitating ordeal in your past—a physical ailment caused by someone’s carelessness or a mental illness caused by someone’s abuse or neglect. You may carry those scars in your body and mind, but take courage and do as Paul encouraged us to do: Fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. The hope of eternity will more than equip you with the strength needed to endure to the end.
Don’t focus on excuses; focus on your perfect completeness in eternity.
Scott Simmons serves as lead pastor of Kernersville Wesleyan Church (NC). He previously served The Wesleyan Church as director of youth ministries.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
