Let’s start by stating something that is obvious to all of us: the world we are living in is difficult and has been for awhile now. No matter where you live, life looks very different than it did two short (or maybe long) years ago. I don’t know about you, but I’ve sort of given up on expecting things to return to “normal” again. But for believers in Christ, I’m not sure things were ever supposed to be normal or comfortable.

My time in this world was never meant to be used for creating comfort or ease. In comparison to eternity, I am only here for a short time and need to focus on serving the purpose God has given me. It would be a shame to miss all He has for me to see and do, all because I’m concerned about being comfortable or doing what is normal.

Think of it this way: imagine that you plan an amazing trip to a beautiful beach. You get to your hotel or rental house and decide you want to move things around to make the room more comfortable before you go see what is outside. As you move things around, you decide you would like to paint the room and then put up some wallpaper. You then think it would be good to remodel the bathroom and update the kitchen. Once you finally get all of the work done, the owner comes and says, “I hope you had a wonderful stay! It’s now time to check out and head home.” You leave realizing that you never got to actually see or do anything.

That may sound ridiculous, but isn’t that what some of us do when we spend all of our time trying to create a comfortable life and ultimately find out that we missed all the great things God had planned?

2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us that the afflictions we experience here are only for a moment and they do not compare with what God has in store for us in eternity with Him. It goes on to remind us to focus on what is unseen rather than what is seen. Because what we see is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

My hope and prayer for all of us is that we don’t miss God’s plan and purpose for us in this momentary place, but instead keep focused on what is yet to come!  to come!