Fixed

"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:18 - NLT)

Before my wife and I got married, we spent a whole lot of time on the wedding invitation. We knew we wanted to add a quote that was deep & meaningful, but also one that wasn't too cliché or a Bible verse that has been 'overused'. 

We also wanted those attending our wedding to know what our marriage will ultimately be about. Most successful businesses employ a tagline. Their success often relies on this - think Nike's "Just Do It". Marriage is not a business, but a common mission statement can be helpful. 

In the end, we found Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's words the most fitting: 

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.

Today's verse speaks about gazing at things that can't be seen. When it comes to loving my wife, I need to trust that her heart first and foremost belongs to Jesus. I come second. It's the same the other way round. That 'same direction' is Jesus Christ! 

I may not be able to see what's in her heart, but I believe - thanks to experience - that she loves me with all of it. Our love and our bond will last for eternity. Until then, I remain faithful to both her and Christ. 

In times of trouble, we are learning more and more to fix our eyes on the trouble-solver (Jesus), not the trouble-maker.

Paul likens us to fragile clay jars (verse 7) containing a great treasure. It is the assurance that Christ lives in and works through us. It is also His love in us, that keeps the love outside of us and between us alive and strong. 

The best we can do in this life, is to love God with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul!